Department for Transport

Railways: Woking

Jonathan Lord: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate he has made of likely passenger numbers on trains from Woking to London Waterloo in (a) 2019 to 2024 and (b) 2025 to 2043.

Claire Perry: We have not estimated likely passenger numbers on trains from Woking to London Waterloo during these periods. Recent studies (Wessex Route Study and the London & South East Market Study) have estimated a 40% growth in the number of rail passengers travelling to central London during peak hours between 2011 to 2043.

Railways: Woking

Jonathan Lord: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate he has made of the average daily number of passengers using morning peak weekday rail services from Woking to London Waterloo.

Claire Perry: I refer my Hon Friend to my previous answer of 27 October 2014 [UIN 211109].

Public Expenditure

Chris Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to page 168 of his Department's Annual Report and Accounts 2013-14, HC 12, what items constitute the other costs category of programme costs in that document.

Claire Perry: The major categories of cost are as follows: ItemsAmount £'000Training4,436Other Staff related costs19,622Bank charges712Reprographics3,398Subscriptions2,252Insurance11,589Media and Publicity1,939Agents’ Fees24,583Accounting adjustments(3,264)Property related costs8,214Other operational costs incurred by: Central department14,481Highways Agency38,127Maritime and Coastguard Agency20,249Vehicle Certification Agency2,236Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency124,249British Transport Police5,074Lighthouse Authorities10,272Other entities869

Biofuels: Imports

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what information his Department holds on the proportion of biofuel added to road fuel which is sourced from overseas.

Mr Robert Goodwill: The country of origin of feedstock used to produce biofuel rewarded under the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) is reported by suppliers and published quarterly on the Department for Transport pages of the GOV.UK website. The information held by the Department indicates that the proportion of feedstock grown or derived from UK sources increased over the period of the RTFO from 9% of biofuels supplied in 2008/09 to 19% in 2013/14. The table below sets out the proportion of biofuel derived from overseas feedstock, UK feedstock and where the country of origin could not be determined.   Year Proportion of biofuelmade from overseas feedstockProportion of biofuel made fromUK feedstockProportion of biofuelfrom unknown country of origin2008/0973%9%19%2009/1077%11%13%2010/1175%22%3%2011/1274.5%12%14%2012/1378%21%0.4%2013/1481%19%0%

Railways: Scotland

Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to paragraph 65 of the report of the Smith Commission, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to give the Scottish Government discretion to decide whether or not to tender for rail services for which it is responsible.

Claire Perry: In respect of Paragraph 65 of the report of the Smith Commission, legislative proposals are being brought forward by Government to unlock such existing executive functions that the Scottish Ministers have as “appropriate franchising authority” and “appropriate designating authority” to allow public sector operators to become franchisees in respect of Scotland-only services.

Speed Limits: Cameras

Sir Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, for what reasons the Highways Agency Digital Enforcement Camera System 3 cameras are not painted yellow in accordance with policy elsewhere; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Patrick McLoughlin: Traffic flows on some motorways have been smoothed and made more reliable by varying the speed limit at times of significant congestion. This has been assisted by grey spot-speed cameras since 1995. The latest cameras, Highways Agency Digital Enforcement Camera System 3, are also grey like their predecessors.   These cameras are currently in use on Smart Motorways. This government has introduced Smart Motorways to improve safety, reduce congestion and achieve as quick a journey as possible. Large signs are placed regularly on these motorway sections to make drivers aware of the cameras and the vast majority of motorists do keep within the speed limit. For all motorists to gain from smoother traffic flows in those areas with a track record for congestion, the speed limits need to be adhered to and this will lead to better journeys for everyone.   All cameras are sign posted and more visible than before, helping ensure motorists apply the speed limit and get where they want to go as quickly as possible. If the public have concerns about the visibility of speed cameras on the motorway network that is something we will look at with the Highways Agency and we will continue to work with organisations including the AA and RAC to inform motorists of the changes.

Speed Limits

Sir Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what advice his Department gives to local Highways Authorities on how to decide which speed limits are appropriate in local areas.

Mr Robert Goodwill: The Department issued revised guidance in January 2013 aimed mainly at local traffic authorities who are responsible for setting speed limits on local roads. It has been designed to help explain to everyone why and how local speed limits are determined. This guidance was revised following full public consultation in Summer 2012. The guidance is available online on GOV.UK

Parking: Pedestrian Areas

Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will consider the issue of pavement parking as a barrier to safe walking within his Department's Cycling and Walking Delivery Plan; and if he will make a statement.

Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate he has made of the cost to councils of damage caused by parking on the pavement; and if he will make a statement.

Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if his Department will conduct an impact assessment into the potential effects of the Pavement Parking Private Members' Bill; and if he will make a statement.

Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many local authorities have implemented traffic regulation orders to tackle pavement parking in their area; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Robert Goodwill: Information on local authority traffic regulation orders is not collected centrally. We are currently considering responses received to our recent consultation on the Cycling Delivery Plan, including issues relating to increasing walking and promoting safe walking. The Department for Transport has made no assessment of the cost to councils of damage caused by parking on pavements. The Department has recently announced how it is allocating just under £6 billion in funding for local highways maintenance to councils in England, outside London and this funding could be used to help repair footways. The provisions of the Pavement Parking Private Members' Bill warrant both an impact assessment and a full public consultation. The Bill has yet to receive a second reading in this House and is most unlikely to complete its Parliamentary passage in the time available. It would be inappropriate for the Department to invest public resource in the circumstances.

Roads: Rural Areas

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to page six of his Department's policy brief, How increased Connectivity is Boosting Prospects of Rural Areas, published in December 2014, how much of the £15 billion investment in road infrastructure will be used to promote rural connectivity.

Mr John Hayes: In total we are investing £15.2 billion in England over 100 major schemes to enhance, renew and increase the connectivity of the Strategic Road Network between 2015/16 and 2020/21. This investment will be used to complete current road schemes, begin construction of previously announced road schemes and also start construction of 69 new road schemes by 2020/21. This includes investments to key routes in rural areas and the periphery of the country – including the A1 north of Newcastle, an investment package worth around £290 million, the A47 in Norfolk, (over £300 million) and on the A30 in Cornwall (£100-250m). Also included is a £2 billion commitment to turn the A303 into a new strategic corridor to the South West. The strategic road network does not work in isolation, so that is why this government is also investing in roads managed by local authorities as part of the planned £12 billion ‘Growth Deals’.

Roads: Repairs and Maintenance

Mr Dominic Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much the Government has provided to Surrey County Council to tackle potholes in each financial year since 2009-10.

Mr Robert Goodwill: The Department has provided Surrey County Council with the following funding for local highways maintenance since 2009/10. This funding can be used to help permanently repair potholes or stop them forming in the first place on the road network for which they are responsible. Financial Year and Funding StreamAllocation £m2009/10 Highways Maintenance Block16.3912010/11 Highways Maintenance Block17.1162011/12 Highways Maintenance Block16.2842012/13 Highways Maintenance Block15.3622013/14 Highways Maintenance Block17.0222014/15 Highways Maintenance Block16.8402010/11 pothole payment1.497March 2011 pothole payment4.710March 2014 Road Repair Fund5.341June 2014 Pothole Fund3.890

High Speed Two

Mrs Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will publish the terms and conditions for the newly-appointed HS2 Ltd Residents Commissioner.

Mr Robert Goodwill: The Residents’ Commissioner receives a remuneration of £590 per day based on an average time commitment of 8 days per month. The Commissioner may also claim for reasonable business expenses in accordance with HS2 Ltd’s expenses policy. Statutory deductions will be taken at source by HS2 Ltd on day rate. The post-holder is not an employee of HS2 Ltd. The current contract commenced on 5 January 2015 and has a notice period of 3 months from either party. The Commissioner will report to Sir David Higgins, the Chairman of HS2 Ltd. This direct link ensures that the Commissioner’s views are heard at the highest level.

Railways: North of England

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what information his Department holds on the causes of train delays on the Northern Rail and TransPennine Express franchises that are caused as a result of (a) driver shortages and (b) guards not being present.

Claire Perry: There are different reporting obligations for each franchise as the cause of delay. Neither Northern nor Transpennine Express separate out this information to the level requested. But both provide information on the proportion of delay minutes that are attributed to Network Rail or a train operator.   Department officials meet with operators at regular intervals for performance review meetings and the items discussed will include reasons for train delays, which may include driver shortages or guards not being present, and the actions that the operators are taking to address any poor performance.

Network Rail

Mr Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what meetings he has had with Network Rail since Christmas 2014 to discuss the quality of rail services in South London (a) in general and (b) relating to London Bridge and Victoria stations.

Claire Perry: Since Christmas, I and other transport Ministers have had multiple discussions with Network Rail and the train operators about a range of issues, including the impact of the recent changes at London Bridge, which is going through a £1bn upgrade project, on train services to that and other main line stations in South London. I am currently holding a series of performance summits with Network Rail and operators for MPs in South London and other lines.

Transport for London

Mr Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department has had discussions with Transport for London in the last 12 months on that body taking a greater role in the operation of inner suburban train services.

Claire Perry: Over the past 12 months, the Department has had extensive discussions with Transport for London (TfL) on the devolution of West Anglia suburban services in north east London. These discussions are nearing completion and we expect to make an announcement in the near future.   Firm plans are in place for the devolution of Great Western and Great Eastern rail services to TfL in preparation for the full operation of Crossrail.   The Department has had no further detailed or specific discussions on rail devolution with TfL during the last 12 months.

Southern

Mr Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether Southern rail is complying with the terms of its franchise; and if he will make a statement.

Claire Perry: The Department monitors the company’s compliance, both in terms of operational performance and in the delivery of its other franchise obligations. Based on current information the Department has not identified any contractual compliance failures.

Railways: Dartford

Clive Efford: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when and for what reasons the decision was made to remove Thameslink trains to Dartford via Lewisham from the timetable following the completion of the improvements at London Bridge; and if he will make a statement.

Claire Perry: The public consultation for the Thameslink, Southern and Great Northern franchise made clear that it would not be possible to operate services from Kent to the Thameslink Core via London Bridge (and therefore Lewisham) without reducing capacity into Cannon Street. Views were sought on this and on which Thameslink services from Kent should operate via Elephant and Castle. The Government’s full response to the consultation was published in September 2013. The specification of services to operate on the Thameslink route, following the redevelopment of London Bridge was included in the franchise Invitation To Tender and took into account responses to the consultation.

Railways: Standards

Mr Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what research his Department holds on the performance of (a) the Southern rail franchise, (b) the Southeastern rail franchise and (c) services on the Thameslink route.

Claire Perry: The Department monitors daily and periodic performance reports from Network Rail and each individual Train Operating Company (TOC) and the information received in the National Rail Passenger Survey, published by Passenger Focus, which provides information on passengers’ views on the services of train operators.

Railways: Franchises

Mr Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what meetings he has had in the last 12 months with representatives of rail franchises operating in South London.

Claire Perry: During the last year, I and other transport Ministers have held regular meetings with the representatives of a number of train operating companies, including Southern, Southeastern, Southwest Trains and GTR. I am currently holding a series of performance summits with Network Rail and operators for MPs in South London and other lines.

Thameslink Railway Line

Clive Efford: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the cost of alterations to the rail lines to enable Wimbledon trains from Brighton to pass through Blackfriars Station to Bedford and St Pancras was; and if he will make a statement.

Claire Perry: The layout of the tracks approaching Blackfriars from the South always allowed for services from Wimbledon and the lines via Herne Hill to access the Thameslink route between Blackfriars and St Pancras. Thus no additional cost has been incurred as a result of this change.

Railways: Dartford

Clive Efford: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what consultation was held before the decision was made to remove Thameslink trains to Dartford via Lewisham from the timetable following the completion of the improvements at London Bridge; and if he will make a statement.

Claire Perry: The requirements for Thameslink train services were included in the public consultation that began in May 2012 for the Thameslink, Southern and Great Northern franchise. The consultation made clear that it would not be possible to operate services from Kent to the Thameslink Core via London Bridge (and therefore Lewisham) without reducing capacity into Cannon Street. Views were sought on this and on which Thameslink services from Kent should operate via Elephant and Castle. The Government’s full response to the consultation was published in September 2013.

Thameslink Railway Line

Clive Efford: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many train services were discontinued as a consequence of the decision to enable Wimbledon trains from Brighton to pass through Blackfriars Station to Bedford and St Pancras; and if he will make a statement.

Claire Perry: No train services have been discontinued as a consequence of the decision to continue to allow Wimbledon trains to pass through the Thameslink core.

Thameslink

Clive Efford: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether Thameslink trains will be formed of 12 carriages following the completion of improvements at London Bridge on services via (a) Wimbledon and (b) Lewisham; and if he will make a statement.

Claire Perry: Following completion of the Thameslink Programme in late 2018, services through the Thameslink ‘Core’ will be operated by eight and twelve car fixed formation trains. Services via Wimbledon (operating on the ‘Wimbledon Loop’) will be formed of eight carriages. Thameslink services will not operate via Lewisham. Lewisham services are operated by South Eastern and we do not mandate the length of these services.

Railways: North of England

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate he has made of changes to revenue protection and collection on the Northern Rail and TransPennine Express franchises in the last five years.

Claire Perry: It is for operators to manage revenue protection as part of their day to day business.   We require reports from some of the train operators which contain information on the level of ticketless travel and their revenue protection activities. However this information is commercially confidential.   Northern Rail has increased the number of revenue protection staff at stations since April 2014 to further reduce ticketless travel. Ticket gates are being installed as part of the significant project to upgrade Manchester Victoria station.

Railways: North of England

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate he has made of changes in levels of anti-social behaviour and crime on the Northern Rail and TransPennine Express franchises in the last five years.

Claire Perry: British Transport Police publish crime statistics by postcode or station on their website at: http://crimemaps.btp.police.uk/

Shipping: Females

Robert Flello: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what information his Department holds on the (a) number of women employed in the Merchant Navy and (b) positions they hold.

Mr John Hayes: The information held by the Department for both men and women is given in the table below. It comes from a manpower survey conducted by the Chamber of Shipping of its membership, and relates to officers and ratings who are working regularly in a sea-going activity. It therefore excludes seafarers who are not employed by Chamber of Shipping members, although the number of such seafarers is expected to be small. UK Merchant Navy Officers and Ratings by Gender and the Departments in which they are employed, 2013 Male Female   UK Officers Deck2,03286Engine (inc. Dual deck/engine)1,73720Technical4545Catering/Hotel/Other422246   Total4,645357   UK RatingsDeck2,04016Engine2871General Purpose480Catering/Other12,2161,230   Total4,5911,247   Notes:  1. Technical ratings and ratings with unknown professions are included in this category.

Motor Vehicles: Fraud

Robert Flello: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps the Government is taking to tackle the use of interrupter devices to falsify driving records.

Claire Perry: In order to tackle the use of tachograph interrupter devices, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) use a number of initiatives and strategies. During 2013/14 DVSA carried out 91,519 drivers hours and tachograph system checks at the roadside, which resulted in 12,671 prohibitions being issued for detected offences. Out of those offences, 259 interrupter devices were found.   Over the last four years DVSA examiners have identified 998 vehicles where interrupter devices had been used. This resulted in the vehicles’ prohibition and immobilisation, prosecution of the driver and follow up action for the responsible operator. DVSA ensure that they have a constant presence in key strategic locations on the road network and can target high risk vehicles using automatic number place recognition equipment. They have also recently added on-board diagnostic equipment to its suite of enforcement targeting tools, this equipment facilitates electronic interrogation of vehicle electronic control units, which can identify where tachograph interference has taken place, with historic data being available.   Where offences are found at the roadside for UK operators, formal follow-up action is instigated and further investigations are made, often resulting in formal legal action being taken. Vehicles will have their interrupter devices removed at an approved tachograph calibration centre.   Where offences are found at the roadside for foreign operators, fixed penalty notices are issued and vehicles are prohibited and immobilised, their interrupter device will also be removed. Information on these offences is passed to the national enforcement bodies of the vehicles concerned for further action.

Freight: Exhaust Emissions

Robert Flello: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assistance the Government provides for freight operators who want to adapt their operations to low emissions restrictions.

Claire Perry: The Government is committed to supporting the rollout of low and ultra low emission alternatives across all vehicle sectors and will invest £500m over the period 2015 to 2020 to support their development, manufacture and use in the UK. A lack of publicly accessible gas refuelling infrastructure has been identified as a significant barrier to the increased uptake of cleaner gas fuelled HGVs and so we have allocated £4m to support the early deployment of gas refuelling stations. This will support freight and logistics operators in their efforts to reduce the environmental impact of their businesses and give freight operators more confidence to invest in this market-ready low emission technology.

High Speed 2 Railway Line: Buckinghamshire

Steve Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what instructions he has given to HS2 Ltd on minimising transport disruption in Buckinghamshire during the construction of High Speed 2 (a) affecting the emergency services and (b) generally; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Robert Goodwill: The Government’s aim is to ensure that traffic disruption caused by the construction of HS2 is reduced as far as reasonably practicable. This commitment is set out in the Environmental Minimum Requirements (EMRs) and draft Code of Construction Practice (CoCP) for Phase One of High Speed Two (HS2), as well as the various controls set out in the hybrid Bill.

Railways: North of England

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the effect on revenue protection and collection of the introduction of driver-only operation on the Northern Rail and TransPennine Express franchises.

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the effect on revenue protection and collection of station staffing proposals for the Northern Rail and TransPennine Express franchises.

Claire Perry: The Department has undertaken a Ticketless Travel survey on both the Northern and the Transpenine Express franchises in order to prepare the specification for each competition which will be published in their respective Invitations to Tender in due course. These results have also been provided to the bidders.

Home Office

Illegal Immigrants: Republic of Ireland

Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people were apprehended when illegally entering the UK in Northern Ireland at the border with the Republic of Ireland in each of the last five years.

James Brokenshire: The Home Office does not hold the information requested. Immigration Enforcement and Border Force conduct intelligence-led operations within Northern Ireland to identify and take action against individuals who are seeking to or have entered the UK from the Republic of Ireland without the necessary leave.

Firearms: Licensing

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate she has made of the number of illegal firearms in the UK in each of the last five years.

Lynne Featherstone: The National Ballistics Intelligence Service regularly assesses the volume and type of illegal firearms in use in the UK. The information is operationally sensitive and is not suitable for release.

Fraud

Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what (a) acknowledgement and (b) information about action taken a victim receives following a report to Action Fraud.

Karen Bradley: Action Fraud is the national reporting centre for fraud and cyber crime, and takes reports on behalf of all police forces in England and Wales. Action Fraud works in conjunction with the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB): both are operated by the City of London Police, the national lead force for fraud. The NFIB analyses Action Fraud crime reports and prepares intelligence packages for police forces to consider for enforcement action. Action Fraud does not carry out investigative activities. It establishes which law enforcement agency should investigate the crime(s) and disseminates if appropriate.Victims of crime who report to Action Fraud receive an explanation of Action Fraud’s role, and what next steps will follow their report, including how the NFIB generates crime packages and information for law enforcement agencies. They will be given a reference number and offered advice on how to protect themselves from being a victim of further fraud.Following analysis of their crime report, victims will receive an update on what action has been taken. Where their crime has been disseminated to a police force, they will be given a point of contact and crime reference number for that force. If the information in their report has no viable investigative leads, it is possible that it could still be used to disrupt the enablers of crime (such as blocking websites). Victims will be advised if their information has been used in this way. They will also be informed if there is insufficient information to enable either an investigation or disruption, but in such cases are told that their report will remain on NFIB’s systems and could potentially match against future reports. To date, over 300,000 of these updates have been sent.

Immigrants: Detainees

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when she intends to publish the findings of the follow-up audit of reports made under Rule 35 of the Detention Centre Rules 2001.

James Brokenshire: The Home Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

EU Justice and Home Affairs

Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps the Government is taking to exercise a block opt-out from the 131 pre-Lisbon EU policing and criminal justice laws.

Karen Bradley: In July 2013, following votes in both Houses of Parliament endorsing the Government’s decision, the Prime Minister formally exercised the opt-out. This decision took effect on 1 December 2014 and on that date the United Kingdom opted out of more than 100 EU police and criminal justice powers.On 20 November 2014, following votes in both Houses of Parliament endorsing the Government’s package, the Prime Minister wrote notifying the President of the Council of Ministers of the United Kingdom’s wish to rejoin the 35 vital police and criminal justice measures set out in Command Paper 8897: Decision pursuant to Article 10(5) of Protocol 36 to The Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. The EU level Decisions required to give effect to the United Kingdom’s application to rejoin the measures were adopted in Brussels on 1 December 2014.

Radicalism

Mr Jeffrey M. Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the involvement of psychologists is in the Government's de-radicalisation programme.

James Brokenshire: The Home Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Saudi Arabia

Mr David Burrowes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent steps he has taken to seek the release of Raif Badawi.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: We are seriously concerned by Raif Badawi’s case. The UK condemns the use of cruel, inhuman or degrading punishment in all circumstances. We have recently raised the case of Raif Badawi at a senior level with the Saudi authorities.The UK is a strong supporter of freedom of expression around the world. We believe that people must be allowed to freely discuss and debate issues, peacefully challenge their governments, exercise the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, and speak out against violations of human rights wherever they occur.

Russia

Dr Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on expansion of the sanctions regime on Russia.

Mr David Lidington: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by the Secretary of state for Foreign and Commowealth Affairs, my right hon. friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), to the hon. Member for Washington and Sunderland West (Mrs Hodgson) on 20 January 2015 (PQ 907106) official report column 77. The UK and our EU partners have been very clear with Russia about what it needs to do for the easing of sanctions to be considered. Conversely, if it continues to ignore its obligations under the Minsk agreements, and continues to destabilise Ukraine, we will need to consider strengthening our sanctions.

Colombia

Mr Jeffrey M. Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of prospects for bilateral ceasefires in the Colombian peace process.

Mr Hugo Swire: On 14 January 2015, President Santos announced that his government was ready to begin discussions on a bilateral cease-fire with the FARC, and instructed his negotiators to start discussions as soon as possible. He noted that the FARC had complied with their unilateral cease-fire to date.We welcome this latest development, which shows a further commitment on both sides to negotiate a sustainable peace for all Colombians after decades of conflict. We will continue to follow events closely.

Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

Teachers: Training

Kevin Brennan: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what recent representations he has received from universities about the future viability of Initial Teacher Training courses and university education departments.

Greg Clark: Holding answer received on 13 January 2015



I have been contacted recently by three universities regarding the provision of initial Teacher Training.

Students: Fees and Charges

Mr Dominic Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what his latest estimate is of the RAB charges on (a) fees and (b) maintenance loans to students at UK universities studying STEM subjects.

Greg Clark: Holding answer received on 15 January 2015



The latest estimate can be found at Official Report, 20 March 2014, Col 706W Separate estimates are not routinely calculated for fee and maintenance components, or for separate subjects.

Higher Education: Finance

Mr John Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what recent estimate he has made of the average unit costs of (a) the face value of student loans, (b) the resource costs of student loans, (c) teaching grants through the Higher Education Funding Council for England, (d) maintenance grant and (e) access spending by institutions in respect of additional students entering higher education in 2014-15.

Greg Clark: Holding answer received on 15 January 2015



Additional entrants to higher education in 2014-15 are funded on the same basis as other students. A summary of the average unit costs for students on the 2012 funding arrangements can be found in the Fiscal Sustainability Report published by the Office for Budget Responsibility in July 2014 (Table B.1, page 170).

Higher Education: Agriculture

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps he is taking to promote the engagement of higher education colleges with the agri-foods sector.

Greg Clark: The Government recognises the importance of preserving and developing skills in the agri-foods sector and we are pleased to see that the number of students in agriculture-related subjects has been increasing in recent years. We are taking an employer-led approach to skills delivery and funding. The Agri-Tech Strategy: • maps the funding of research by private and public sector organisations including support for studentships; and • works alongside the Agri-Skills Forum in England to help deliver their Skills Strategy. The Strategy can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-agricultural-technologies-strategy The Government has a number of initiatives to encourage employers to work with colleges and other educational bodies to ensure that we have the skills that we need as a country to compete in the global marketplace. For example, in England, the National Skills Academy for Food & Drink is running a new Industrial Skills Partnership with £2m of funding from the (BIS/DfE) Employer Ownership of Skills Fund. This new industry-led partnership will take forward work across a broad front including improving the perception of jobs in the industry, creating clear career pathways and addressing specific skills shortages in the sector. Innovate UK (sponsored by the Department) also delivers a number of programmes that allow Higher Education Institutions to work with businesses on innovative projects across all sectors, including agri-food (www.innovateuk.org).

Insolvency

Mr Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what factors the Insolvency Service takes into account when reviewing the fees it charges.

Jo Swinson: The Insolvency Service sets its fees in accordance with HM Treasury’s ‘Managing Public Money’ principles which require that the standard approach is to set charges to recover the full costs of dealing with the cases it administers. The costs which must be taken into account are set out in the Managing Public Money Guidance published by HM Treasury.   The intention with insolvency fees is to ensure that those who benefit from the insolvency regime should be the ones to fund it, so that an efficient and fair insolvency regime can be provided. When reviewing fees, Ministers consider the impact of any changes on the different interests that might be affected through an Impact Assessment.

Insolvency

Mr Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how regularly the Insolvency Service reviews its fees.

Jo Swinson: The Insolvency Service reviews its fees and charges annually. The Insolvency Service is required to set fees to ensure full cost recovery. The last fee increases were made in April 2014.

Employment: Huddersfield

Mr Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps his Department is taking to create jobs in Huddersfield.

Greg Clark: Huddersfield benefits from the significant investment Government is making across Leeds City Region through their £573m Growth Deal, which will deliver at least 8,000 jobs and allow 1,000 new homes to be built by 2021. In particular, Huddersfield will benefit from an Advanced (Process) Manufacturing and Research Hub at Kirklees College which will be delivered as part of the Local Enterprise Partnership’s Skills Capital programme. The Government has committed a further £1bn to Growth Deals and will announce an extension to Leeds City Region Growth Deal shortly.Huddersfield businesses have attracted £5.9m of Regional Growth Funding for 4 projects which are expected to create or safeguard 297 jobs and bring £21.4m of private investment to the area. Huddersfield and Kirklees businesses are also creating new jobs with the help of the Regional Growth Fund-supported Leeds City Region Business Grant programme. This programme is being boosted by the Growth Deal which will enable companies to access these grants for a further 3 years.

Insolvency

Mr Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, on what basis the Insolvency Service calculates the fees charged in cases of liquidation.

Jo Swinson: The Official Receiver’s fees charged in compulsory liquidation cases are calculated in accordance with principles outlined in HM Treasury’s ‘Managing Public Money’ guidance which provides that the standard approach is to set charges to recover full costs.   Fees are set to reflect the average cost of the Official Receiver administering a case and are set out in secondary legislation.

Post Offices: Rhyl

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what forecast his Department has made of the saving to the public purse from the relocation of the Crown Post Office in Rhyl.

Jo Swinson: The Post Office’s directly managed Crown network has incurred heavy and historic losses (totalling £26 million in the Post Office’s last reported full financial year). Eliminating these losses is a key element of the Post Office’s strategy to provide for the long-term sustainable future of the network.   As part of that strategy the Post Office is seeking to franchise a number of its Crown post offices, as is the case with Rhyl. The Government supports the business in delivering that strategy.   As changes to its Crown Post Office network is the operational responsibility of the Post Office I have therefore asked Paula Vennells, the Chief Executive of Post Office Ltd, to write to you on this matter. A copy of her reply will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

EU External Trade: USA

Mr David Nuttall: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, whether the EU can apply parts of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership within EU competence after the Partnership has been signed when ratification of elements of the Partnership that fall within member states' competence has been refused by a member state.

Matthew Hancock: The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

EU External Trade: USA

Mr David Nuttall: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, which provisions under negotiation for the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership are not a matter of EU competence and will require ratification by each EU member state.

Matthew Hancock: The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Economic Situation: North of England

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps he is taking to increase job creation and economic growth in the north of England.

Matthew Hancock: The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Insolvency

Mr Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, if he will direct the Insolvency Service to reduce its fees in cases of insolvency.

Jo Swinson: The Insolvency Service is required to set its fees in line with the principles laid out in HM Treasury’s “Managing Public Money” guidance, which specify that charges should be set to recover full costs. This approach is intended to make sure that the government neither profits at the expense of consumers nor makes a loss for taxpayers to subside. Fees charged are set out in secondary legislation and are reviewed annually.

Department for International Development

Africa

Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what discussions officials in her Department have had with the governments of African states receiving aid from the UK on policy reforms relating to seeds and plants variety protections; and if she will publish correspondence and transcripts of meetings on those issues between her Department and (a) the governments of those African states, (b) the US administration, (c) representatives of agricultural companies and (d) representatives of seed companies.

Mr Desmond Swayne: I refer the hon. Lady to the answer given on 18/12/2014 to the right honourable member for North Ayrshire and Arran (Katy Clark MP), (218562).

Department for Education

Behaviour Disorders: Children

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the Incredible Years programme pilot in improving disruptive behaviour; and what plans she has to extend that programme.

Mr Nick Gibb: An assessment of the effectiveness of the Incredible Years programme has been made in The Parenting Early Intervention Programme (PEIP, 2008-11). The Incredible Years was one of five parenting interventions that formed part of this programme. PEIP found that these programmes had positive effects, including on children’s behaviour; a full evaluation report can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/parenting-early-intervention-programme   The benefits of the Incredible Years programme have been extended to more parents and children in a number of ways: the CANParent trial, commissioned by the Department for Education in 2012, draws on the principles of the Incredible Years programme amongst others; Coram are running the Incredible Years programme for adoptive parents under funding from a 2013-15 grant from the Department; and the Evaluation of Children’s Centres in England (ECCE) found Incredible Years to be one of the most commonly offered evidence-based services in the most disadvantaged centres.

Behaviour Disorders: Children

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what the difference is in (a) attainment levels and (b) classroom behaviour in a child who has conduct disorder and has (i) been treated and (ii) not been treated for that disorder.

Mr David Laws: The Department for Education does not collect or hold information on whether a child has a ‘conduct disorder’ or whether the disorder has been treated or not.   However, information on the attainment of pupils by ‘type of need’ including pupils with ‘behaviour, emotional and social difficulties’ at the end of key stage 2 is published in table 9a of the ‘National curriculum assessments at key stage 2, 2014 (revised)’[1] Statistical First Release.   For key stage 4 the same information is published in table 1 of the Statistical Release ‘GCSE and equivalent attainment by pupil characteristics, 2012/13’.[2]  [1] www.gov.uk/government/statistics/national-curriculum-assessments-at-key-stage-2-2014-revised[2] www.gov.uk/government/statistics/gcse-and-equivalent-attainment-by-pupil-characteristics-2012-to-2013

Teachers: North West

Andrew Miller: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many primary school teachers in each parliamentary constituency in the North West of England have a science degree.

Mr David Laws: The following table provides the headcount number and percentage of all regular teachers[1] in service in primary schools in each constituency in the North West with a degree in a science subject in November 2013. This is the latest information available. Name of ConstituencyNumber of Teachers with Science Degree[2]Number of Teachers with a Qualification Recorded[3]Percentage with a Science Qualification Confidence Interval[4]Percentage of Teachers with Qualification RecordedAltrincham and Sale West313828.1+/-2.788.2Ashton-under-Lyne234155.5+/-2.295.0Barrow and Furness4037110.8+/-3.294.4Birkenhead364108.8+/-2.793.2Blackburn485768.3+/-2.395.4Blackley and Broughton475738.2+/-2.296.0Blackpool and Cleveleys313199.7+/-3.397.6Blackpool South4137910.8+/-3.198.2Bolton North East364168.7+/-2.798.8Bolton South East425168.1+/-2.498.5Bolton West264046.4+/-2.499.0Bootle404548.8+/-2.699.3Burnley284146.8+/-2.498.8Bury North303558.5+/-2.988.1Bury South3936810.6+/-3.184.8Carlisle303458.7+/-3.094.5Cheadle294376.6+/-2.398.2Chorley394099.5+/-2.899.5City of Chester324008.0+/-2.798.0Congleton253537.1+/-2.798.3Copeland272839.5+/-3.494.6Crewe and Nantwich374648.0+/-2.598.5Denton and Reddish183684.9+/-2.294.6Eddisbury364308.4+/-2.698.6Ellesmere Port and Neston293707.8+/-2.796.1Fylde3029210.3+/-3.597.7Garston and Halewood303907.7+/-2.695.1Halton4541910.7+/-3.098.4Hazel Grove213166.6+/-2.798.4Heywood and Middleton484859.9+/-2.798.0Hyndburn324337.4+/-2.598.6Knowsley365127.0+/-2.298.1Lancaster and Fleetwood4134511.9+/-3.498.6Leigh4134012.1+/-3.596.3Liverpool, Riverside232927.9+/-3.189.0Liverpool, Walton394658.4+/-2.593.9Liverpool, Wavertree264635.6+/-2.195.7Liverpool, West Derby143344.2+/-2.196.8Macclesfield314077.6+/-2.698.8Makerfield243247.4+/-2.995.9Manchester Central336105.4+/-1.896.5Manchester, Gorton384947.7+/-2.398.0Manchester, Withington283887.2+/-2.697.0Morecambe and Lunesdale363969.1+/-2.899.5Oldham East and Saddleworth334737.0+/-2.389.6Oldham West and Royton365057.1+/-2.287.5Pendle324207.6+/-2.597.9Penrith and The Border4135811.5+/-3.392.7Preston303728.1+/-2.899.2Ribble Valley4540811.0+/-3.099.3Rochdale454989.0+/-2.595.0Rossendale and Darwen394498.7+/-2.697.0Salford and Eccles253796.6+/-2.594.5Sefton Central273358.1+/-2.998.5South Ribble353869.1+/-2.999.7Southport4034411.6+/-3.498.9St. Helens North363839.4+/-2.992.3St.Helens South and Whiston394189.3+/-2.895.7Stalybridge and Hyde314327.2+/-2.497.3Stockport313788.2+/-2.897.2Stretford and Urmston353859.1+/-2.980.2Tatton313449.0+/-3.096.9Wallasey223835.7+/-2.396.2Warrington North5147210.8+/-2.897.7Warrington South5149710.3+/-2.798.2Weaver Vale4542310.6+/-2.997.5West Lancashire4242110.0+/-2.997.5Westmorland and Lonsdale4133812.1+/-3.595.8Wigan273048.9+/-3.289.4Wirral South262759.5+/-3.593.9Wirral West222777.9+/-3.296.9Workington202767.2+/-3.190.8Worsley and Eccles South4242210.0+/-2.989.0Wyre and Preston North3937710.3+/-3.197.7Wythenshawe and Sale East304416.8+/-2.492.6Total North West2,54530,097[5]8.5+/-0.395.6Total England18,795227,5138.3+/-0.195.5   Source: School Workforce Census  [1] Includes qualified and unqualified teachers.[2] Includes teachers with a first or higher science degree but excluding those with a science PGCE where no record of a science degree exists and those with a BEd in sciences.[3] Those recorded with a qualification (degree or higher, Bachelor of Education, Post-Graduate Certificate in Education, Certificate in Education, other qualification at NVQ level 4 or higher, relevant non-UK qualification) in any subject (the total in the sample from which the rate is calculated).[4] The range within which we can be 95% confident that the true value exists.[5] Includes 8 teachers where parliamentary constituency is not known.

Behaviour Disorders: Children

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what graded interventions are available to treat children with disruptive behaviour.

Mr Nick Gibb: The Government believes that all pupils will benefit from being taught in a well ordered school environment free from disruption. All schools are required by law to have a behaviour policy which sets out the behaviour expected of pupils and the sanctions that will be imposed for misbehaviour. The Government does not prescribe specific behaviour intervention strategies; schools are free to develop their own behaviour strategies based on their particular circumstances, but are held to account by Ofsted for their effectiveness.To help schools develop effective behaviour strategies the Government has produced guidance which covers what should be included in the behaviour policy and is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/behaviour-and-discipline-in-schools. This was updated in 2014 with a range of sanctions that teachers can use to punish poor behaviour and maintain discipline.Our advice on behaviour and discipline also says that schools should consider whether continuing disruptive behaviour might be the result of unmet educational or other needs, including mental health problems. In June 2014, we issued advice on behaviour and mental health to help teachers differentiate between pupils that are simply behaving badly, and behaviour – whether it is disruptive, withdrawn, anxious, depressed or otherwise – that may be related to an unmet mental health or special educational need. This advice identifies a range of ways that these children can be supported in school and, where necessary referred, to specialist agencies such as the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) for professional support. It can be found online at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mental-health-and-behaviour-in-schools--2   In addition, the new ‘Special Educational Needs and Disability Code of Practice: 0 to 25 years’ published in July 2014, makes clear that schools should seek to identify whether there are any factors such as undiagnosed special educational needs which might underlie disruptive behaviour and this links to the Behaviour and Mental Health Advice for schools.

GCSE

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what the estimated per-pupil cost was of GCSE re-sits in state schools for the latest period for which figures are available.

Mr Nick Gibb: The information requested is not held by the Department for Education. Each Awarding Organisation publishes details of their fees for re-sits [1].In addition to Awarding Organisations fees, exam centres can apply their own administration costs to sit the exam at their centre. These costs can vary from centre to centre.[1]http://www.aqa.org.uk/exams-administration/entries/entry-feeshttp://ocr.org.uk/Images/166033-fees-list-2014-15.pdfhttps://secure.qualifications.pearson.com/en/support/support-topics/registrations-and-entries/academic-registrations-and-entries/registration-and-entry-fees.htmlhttp://www.wjec.co.uk/exam-officers/entries/WJEC%20Fees%202014%2015.pdf?language_id=1

Higher Education: Admissions

Mr Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will list the top 20 local authority areas by proportion of pupils from maintained schools gaining admission to Russell Group universities, showing whether each authority is (a) selective (b) partially selective and (c) comprehensive for the most recent period for which figures are available.

Mr David Laws: The information requested is published online at:www.gov.uk/government/collections/statistics-destinations

Higher Education: Admissions

Mr Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will list all local authority areas in the (a) North West, (b) North East, (c) Yorkshire and the Humber, (d) West Midlands and (e) East Midlands from which 25 per cent or more of pupils from maintained schools secured admission to Russell Group universities, showing in each case whether the authority is (i) selective, (ii) partially selective and (iii) comprehensive for the latest period for which figures are available.

Mr David Laws: The information requested is published online at: www.gov.uk/government/collections/statistics-destinations

Ministry of Justice

Non-molestation Orders

John Hemming: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to the contribution by the hon. Member for North West Cambridgeshire of 18 March 2014, Official Report, column 625, what progress has been made by his Department's investigation into reasons for increases in the number of non-molestation orders issued by the English courts.

Mike Penning: Non-molestation orders are an important form of protection for those suffering or at risk of domestic violence. Legal aid funds applications, regardless of the applicant’s means. We accept current orders, or those made in the previous 24 months as the evidence required to access legal aid in private family law matters. The MoJ keeps the impacts of legal aid reforms under review. While it is true that the number of non-molestation orders applied for through the courts has increased since implementation of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012, published data does not support the position that this is due to such orders being a form of acceptable evidence of domestic violence required to access legal aid funding in private family law child or finance arrangement matters. We are confident that the court procedures for making non-molestation orders are sufficiently robust. The Ministry of Justice has commissioned an extensive research programme to investigate individual behavioural responses following the legal aid reforms. This will provide robust findings on the prevalence of social and civil justice problems and the ways in which people resolve these problems both within and outside of the justice system. Findings from this programme are expected in Autumn 2015.

Employment Tribunals Service

Ian Murray: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what amount his Department has paid to Jadu Ltd for (a) establishing and (b) maintaining IT systems to support the processing of employment tribunal fees and remissions to date.

Ian Murray: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 15 October 2014 to Question 206019, how many awards of remission of fees for employment tribunal proceedings were made in each month between 1 July 2014 and 30 September 2014; and how many such awards were to (i) single claimants, (ii) claimants in multiple claimant cases and (iii) applicants to the Employment Appeal Tribunal.

Ian Murray: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will estimate savings in variable operational costs to HM Courts and Tribunals Service resulting from the reduction in the number of employment tribunal claims since 29 July 2013.

Ian Murray: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 15 October 2014 to Question 206019, when he expects to be in a position to provide data on the number of employment tribunal fee remission applications made in each month since 29 July 2013.

Ian Murray: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how much has been received by HM Courts and Tribunals Service in payment of employment tribunal fees since 1 April 2014; and how much of that sum was foregone in fee remission.

Mike Penning: I will answer these questions together as they are seeking information on the costs and benefits of running the employment tribunals. Jadu Ltd was awarded a contract by the Ministry of Justice to establish, and support, a digital exemplar service including an online form and a payment system for employment tribunals in February 2013. That contract was for £1.2m including VAT and provided delivery of the system and support for two years. Jadu Ltd has received £800k including VAT since July 2013 for additional changes due to legislation and for further non-contracted improvements to the system. For the period from 1 April 2014 to 31 December 2014 HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) has received a gross total of £9.0m in employment tribunal fees of which £2.4m has been forgone in fee remission, leaving £6.6m in net fees. The number of fee remission awards made each month is available from financial information relating to fees and remissions in the employment tribunals system published by HMCTS in its Annual Report and Accounts. The answer by the Minister for the Courts and Legal Aid given on 15 October 2014 which can be viewed athttp://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2014-07-15/206019/ records the number of fee remission awards in each month from July 2013 to June 2014. The number awarded each month from July 2014 to December 2014 is shown below:Employment Tribunal Fee Remission Awards1 Jul-14Aug-14Sep-14Oct-14Nov-14Dec-14Individual Claims (Single Claims)532510521864533499Multiple Claims722848Appeals to the Employment Appeal Tribunal3114325123381Timing differences exist between data uploaded to the finance system and data entered at source within employment tribunals fees systems. The monthly profile shown here reflects the date remissions were recorded on the finance system. This may not reflect the date on which remission applications were received or processed. My Department expects to be in a position to publish more detailed data on the number of remission applications made, and awards made, for the employment tribunals and Employment Appeal Tribunal in the Tribunal and Gender Recognition Certificate Statistics quarterly bulletin by the end of this financial year. It is not possible to separate out reductions in variable operational costs resulting from changes in employment tribunals claims from decreases in costs for other reasons. Excluding allocated overheads, the cost of operating the employment tribunals for the year 2013 /14 was £69m. The most recent forecast of cost in 2014/15 is £65m, a reduction of £4m in nominal terms. Fee income for 2014/15 is forecast to be £9m, so the costs to the taxpayer are forecast to reduce by £13m. Hardworking taxpayers should not be picking up the bill for employment disputes in tribunals and it is reasonable to expect people to contribute towards the bill for the service. Moreover, it is important to remember that the Government has taken measures to ensure that those who have limited means have fee waivers and are therefore not excluded from seeking redress in tribunals. It is also worth noting the figures published by Acas show that over 37,000 people used the new early conciliation scheme in its first six months. This is a promising start to the scheme and shows that there are alternative ways of resolving disputes rather than always through tribunals.

Christmas

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether it remains the policy of his Department not to fund Christmas parties for staff.

Mike Penning: The Departmental policy sets out that when providing in-house hospitality, no alcohol is to be paid for from Departmental funds. Christmas parties are organised and paid for by individual members of staff.Employees are expected to behave in accordance with the standards set out in the Civil Service Code and the Departmental Conduct policy.

Courts: Fines

Chris Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the total value of fines was (a) issued by the courts and (b) collected in 2013-14 in each local criminal justice board area.

Mike Penning: This Government takes recovery and enforcement of financial impositions very seriously and remains committed to finding new ways to ensure impositions are paid and to trace those who do not pay. This is why there has been a year on year increase in the total amount of financial penalties collected over the last three years. The amount of money collected reached an all time high of £290 million at the end of 2013/14 and collections continue to rise. In 2013/14 the total outstanding balance of financial impositions reduced by £26.7m (5%) in the year. The table below shows the value of financial impositions ordered by the courts in 2013/14, and the total value of financial impositions collected in the year.AreaImpositions 2013/14Collected Against Impositions in yearTotal collected in the year - regardless of imposition dateAvon and Somerset£10,488,481£3,816,902£7,172,942Bedfordshire£4,225,416£1,859,237£3,202,616Cambridgeshire£4,890,202£1,933,970£3,547,387Cheshire£7,518,203£3,839,030£6,066,620Cleveland£3,994,238£1,275,769£2,882,318Cumbria£4,381,676£1,500,696£2,790,743Derbyshire£4,619,046£1,802,742£3,453,856Devon and Cornwall£7,275,905£3,492,226£6,154,292Dorset£4,254,020£1,592,455£3,388,107Durham£3,100,039£1,169,332£2,473,197Dyfed Powys£3,774,386£1,743,944£2,898,590Essex£10,989,916£5,222,015£8,443,356Gloucestershire£2,145,012£894,327£1,840,466Greater Manchester£22,329,688£7,039,630£15,250,585Gwent£4,788,550£1,762,976£3,527,232Hampshire & IOW£11,013,958£4,079,985£8,459,808Hertfordshire£9,563,529£3,829,326£6,440,952Humberside£7,136,166£2,837,722£5,694,120Kent£11,982,516£4,191,673£8,362,118Lancashire£13,146,146£4,475,514£7,798,619Leicestershire£6,044,190£2,577,867£4,320,886Lincolnshire£6,141,834£2,706,212£4,210,021London Central & South East£37,479,069£12,591,694£21,055,254London North East£19,420,646£5,919,447£10,646,490London North West£23,238,619£8,598,442£14,243,408London South West£1,627,698£903,715£3,659,537Merseyside£12,266,671£3,901,058£9,556,566Norfolk£4,810,313£1,825,238£3,307,277North Wales£5,476,857£2,476,682£4,264,771North Yorkshire£4,247,146£2,168,730£3,489,709Northamptonshire£4,046,826£1,391,365£2,909,235Northumbria£10,806,079£3,613,008£7,385,384Nottinghamshire£8,409,069£3,050,949£5,254,473South Wales£16,335,911£6,584,635£10,762,439South Yorkshire£9,955,309£2,808,251£5,752,104Staffordshire£8,075,539£2,824,654£6,008,493Suffolk£4,945,931£1,887,068£3,309,711Surrey£7,833,947£4,298,880£6,331,557Sussex£7,295,943£3,024,765£5,986,262Thames Valley£13,975,694£6,347,357£10,957,532Warwickshire£5,478,730£1,967,666£3,137,619West Mercia£9,034,521£3,169,955£5,749,674West Midlands£18,824,807£5,980,168£14,196,420West Yorkshire£19,708,027£6,593,972£11,421,315Wiltshire£3,159,373£1,163,257£2,547,769Total£420,255,840£156,734,504£290,311,831These figures include fines, compensation orders, victim surcharge orders and prosecution costs orders. The value of the impositions that remain outstanding at the end of the year includes accounts that were not due to be paid by the end of the period specified (either because they were imposed close to the end of the year or because they had payment timescales set by the courts for beyond the end of the financial year) and those that were being paid by instalments on agreed payment plans.

Reoffenders

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the recidivism rate was of prisoners who were released from prisons in the (a) West Midlands and (b) UK in the last year.

Andrew Selous: Proven re-offending rates for adult offenders released from custody in England and Wales, as an average and by individual prison, are published on a quarterly basis by the Ministry of Justice in the ‘Proven Re-offending Statistics Quarterly Bulletin’. The latest figures, covering 2012, can be found in Tables 22a (for offenders released from custodial sentences of less than 12 months) and 22b (for offenders released from custodial sentences of 12 months or more) at the link below https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/proven-reoffending-statistics-january-2012-to-december-2012 The prisons in the West Midlands area are• Birmingham• Brinsford• Dovegate• Drake Hall• Featherstone• Hewell• Long Lartin• Shrewsbury• Stafford• Stoke Heath• Swinfen Hall• Werrington The Government is undertaking the Transforming Rehabilitation Reforms to reduce re-offending, particularly among short-sentenced offenders. The Offender Rehabilitation Act 2014, which received Royal Assent on 13 March will, once commenced, change the law so that all offenders released from short prison sentences will receive 12 months of supervision in the community. We will introduce the provisions of the Act and transition services to new providers in line with the Government’s commitment to complete these reforms by 2015.

Prisons: Drugs

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he is taking to limit prisoners' access to (a) legal drugs and (b) other psychoactive substances.

Andrew Selous: The National Offender Management Service (NOMS) takes the issue of all contraband in prisons extremely seriously and deploys a comprehensive range of robust searching and security measures to detect items of contraband both at the point of entry to the prison and concealed within the prison. NOMS is aware of the increase of the use of New Psychoactive substances (NPS) across the prison estate and has developed comprehensive guidance for prison governors and staff, which sets out the existing measures available to them to deal with NPS in the same way as other drugs. This includes; Any prisoner who is suspected of being involved in smuggling prohibited items, including legal highs, through visits can face cellular confinement, loss of privileges or have days added to their time in prison. The government recently introduced an amendment to the Criminal Justice and Courts Bill to expand prisons' powers to test prisoners for non-controlled drugs. New, additional powers in the Criminal Courts and Justice Bill will give powers to specify non-controlled drugs (including so-called ‘legal highs’) which can be tested for as part of the Mandatory Drug Testing Programme. In addition to the existing searching measures in place NOMS have trained 13 active drug dogs in the detection of NPS. Training kits will shortly be issued to all trainers to enable all active drug dogs to be trained to detect NPS as a ‘bolt on’ to their standard training.

Court of Protection

Mr Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what plans he has to review the powers of the Court of Protection; and if he will make a statement.

Simon Hughes: The Ministry of Justice has no plans to review the powers of the Court of Protection.However, the department is currently changing the Court of Protection Rules. This will give the Court more flexibility to help it manage its caseload more efficiently.The department and judiciary have been clear that there needs to be more openness in the Court of Protection, which deals with some of the most vulnerable people in society. The President of the Family Division's guidelines mean that more judgements are published than ever before. The President and I will continue to push for ever greater transparency, where it is appropriate.

Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission

Councillors: Young People

Mr Peter Bone: To ask the hon. Member for South West Devon, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, what guidance his Department provides to Returning Officers on the eligibility of 18 year olds to stand for election to a local council in a ward in which they go to school but do not live.

Mr Gary Streeter: The Electoral Commission has published guidance for Returning Officers and people considering standing for election to local authorities in Great Britain which sets out the four possible qualifications to stand and be elected. These qualifications relate to candidate activity in the local authority area, rather than the specific ward in which they are standing. Candidates must meet at least one of the qualifications to be validly nominated.One qualification is that the candidate’s principal or only place of work in the previous 12 months was in the local authority area. This enables those who work in the local authority area but do not necessarily live there, to qualify.The Commission has advised that simply attending a school, college or university in the local authority area for the sole purpose of studying would not be sufficient grounds to qualify to stand for election under the principal or only place of work qualification, although an individual may meet one of the other qualification criteria. It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure that they are eligible and not that of the Returning Officer. In giving their consent to nomination, the candidate is confirming that they meet the qualifications to stand for election as stated in their nomination paper and are not disqualified.

Prime Minister

Energy: Finance

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Prime Minister, with reference to his oral evidence to the Liaison Committee of 16 December 2014, what criteria he used to classify energy sources as (a) highly subsidised and (b) semi-subsidised; and if he will make a statement.

Mr David Cameron: The point that I made during my appearance before the Liaison Committee was that, in the event that despatchable plant such as gas is no longer on the system and if Carbon Capture Storage is not deployed at scale, generation would need to be provided primarily by a combination of nuclear generation and a very large volume of renewable electricity. The volume of renewable electricity required would necessitate the development of a large number of projects from a range of technologies some of which are significantly more expensive than gas generation.

Iraq Committee of Inquiry

Paul Flynn: To ask the Prime Minister, what provision was made in the arrangements for the Iraq Inquiry to deal with a situation arising from the incapacity of a member of the inquiry panel.

Mr David Cameron: The Inquiry was established by the last Government which determined its terms of operation. No specific provision was made. If a replacement Committee member was felt to be necessary, they would be appointed in the same way as the current members.

Ministry of Defence

Pakistan

Mr Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the Joint Prioritised Effects List includes targets in Pakistan.

Mr Mark Francois: Holding answer received on 15 January 2015



The UK's Armed Forces do not conduct combat operations in Pakistan.

Veterans: Hearing Impairment

Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he has taken to support veterans with industrial deafness.

Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many veterans suffer from industrial deafness.

Anna Soubry: Holding answer received on 21 January 2015



The term industrial deafness is, in general usage, understood to mean damage to hearing caused by chronic unprotected noise exposure, as experienced in workshops, heavy manufacturing and shipyards. This type of damage is cumulative over time and may result in disabling hearing loss, typically in middle age or later. Before the introduction of Health and Safety legislation, it was a common condition both in civilian and some military workplaces. Noise damage from military workshop environments is now very rare, following the implementation of the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005. However, the recent armed conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq have produced a risk of acute acoustic trauma i.e. weapons-related impulse noise damage, mainly affecting young Service personnel with previously normal hearing. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) takes very seriously the issue of hearing loss related to Service noise. The Department provides the best possible hearing protection and works closely with the Royal British Legion (RBL) and other charitable partners to ensure that all personnel and commanders are fully aware of the risks of permanent hearing damage. For those affected by hearing loss and its associated challenges, best practice care and support is available. In order to protect our personnel, where noise damage is detected, personnel may be downgraded and even medically discharged, even though they might not have a disabling level of hearing loss. Where it is clinically appropriate, suitable digital aids are fitted in-Service.The National Health Services areresponsible for meeting the clinical needs of veterans. Throughout the UK, arrangements are in place for priority access to secondary care for veterans with Service related hearing problems; the full range of hearing aids, including in-ear and in-canal variants, are fitted as standard in the NHS, dependent on clinical need. Hearing problems are common in older people, including in veterans, and the Government recently allocated £10 million of LIBOR money to support affected veterans. Government Departments are working together with the RBL to agree upon the most effective use of this money. In addition, the Department of Health, NHS England and Defence are improving coordination in order that personnel are first provided with hearing aids in-Service, and also developing common standards for local NHS commissioners. The Ministry of Defence does not maintain a database of all veterans. It is therefore not possible to estimate the number of veterans suffering from industrial deafness.

Army: Discharges

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many early service leavers from the Infantry enlisted (a) under and (b) over the age of 18 in each of the last five years.

Anna Soubry: The number of early service leavers from the Infantry is shown in the following table:  Calendar YearAge on Entry20102011201220131st Jan 14 to 30th Nov 14Under 1867062056036032018 and Over1,1101,4101,160920700 Notes:The figures are for Trained and Untrained Regular Army Other Ranks and Officers and therefore excludes all Gurkhas, Full Time Reserve Service, Mobilised Reserves, Army Reserve and all other Reserves. The figures are for those individuals who left the Army with an Infantry Arm/Service recorded on the Joint Personnel Administration System (JPA) at the point they left. It is possible that a small number of those contained within the figures above were assigned to a non-Infantry Arm/Service when joining the Army, and then subsequently at some point in their Army career transferred to the Infantry. Figures have been rounded to 10; numbers ending in "5" have been rounded to the nearest multiple of 20 to prevent systematic bias.

Military Corrective Training Centre Colchester

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether it remains his policy to detain minors at the Military Correctional Training Centre (Colchester).

Anna Soubry: Yes, it is still our policy to detain minors at the Military Corrective Training Centre. The Centre has a safeguarding and child protection policy and is inspected by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Prisons.Due regard is given to all the circumstances of the offence and, where detention is warranted, it must be for the shortest term commensurate with the seriousness of the offence or offences for which the offender is being sentenced.In the last three years a total of five Service personnel under the age of 18 have been sentenced to detention in the Military Corrective Training Centre.

Armed Forces: Mental Health Services

Sir Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what research his Department has (a) commissioned, (b) funded and (c) undertaken on the mental health needs of service personnel and veterans since 2010; and what his most recent estimate is of the number of service personnel and veterans with such needs.

Anna Soubry: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) commissions and funds a wide range of research into the mental health of Armed Forces personnel. This work continues to produce high quality evidence upon which we can make considered decisions about the way we manage and treat our personnel.In particular, we continue to fund the large-scale, ongoing independent study (initially commissioned by the MOD in 2003) from the King's Centre for Mental Health Research (KCMHR), which has become an important source of data on the impact of deployment on the overall health and wellbeing of military personnel who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Specific work commissioned under this contract since 2010 includes research into mental health disorders in Reservists; evaluation of a Post-Operational Stress Management programme tailored to Reservists; mental health stigma in the Armed Forces; and a US-funded study into a possible screening tool for mental health issues. Another significant piece of work commissioned and funded by the MOD has been a study of alcohol use disorders, conducted by Cranfield University.It is not possible to provide the number of serving personnel or veterans with mental health needs at any single point in time. However, statistics show that in financial year 2013-14, 5,040 UK Armed Forces personnel had a new episode of care for a mental disorder at one of the MOD's Departments of Community Mental Health, the majority of whom will have already been successfully treated and returned to work. The medical treatment of ex-service personnel is the responsibility of the UK Departments of Health, and the MOD continues to work closely with them to improve the mental healthcare available.

Armed Forces: Mental Illness

Sir Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to provide support to female service personnel with mental health problems; and if he will make a statement.

Anna Soubry: We take the health of our military personnel very seriously, and provide mental health treatment and support to all members of the UK Armed Forces, regardless of gender. We have both male and female mental healthcare staff, and are thus able to accommodate cases where an assessment or therapy referral makes a specific recommendation about the gender of the mental healthcare professional providing treatment.

Nuclear Weapons

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will place in the Library the most recent version of the Defence Nuclear Executive Board's Risk Register for the Nuclear Programme.

Mr Philip Dunne: This information is being withheld for the purpose of safeguarding national security.

Veterans

Sir Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what cross-departmental work his Department is undertaking on veterans' welfare.

Anna Soubry: A very feature of the Armed Forces Covenant is the Covenant Reference Group (CRG), which is chaired by the Cabinet Office Minister for Government Policy and includes representatives from all of the main Government Departments. The CRG meets regularly to guide and direct work on the Armed Forces Covenant, including support for the veteran community. Other members of the CRG include the three Service Family Federations, COBSEO (the Confederation of Service Charities) and other charities.The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is represented at cross-Departmental groups, such as the DCLG Working Group for Homeless Veterans. In addition, the MOD co-chairs with the Department of Health the MOD/UK Departments of Health Partnership Board, which is responsible for ensuring that the MOD and UK Health Departments work together to meet the requirements of the Armed Forces Covenant (an obligation which the NHS in England is mandated to deliver), and to improve the health and healthcare of the Armed Forces, their families and veterans.

LIBOR: Fines

Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much funding from LIBOR fines was distributed to veterans' charities in each (a) region and (b) constituent part of the UK in each year since 2012.

Anna Soubry: The Ministry of Defence has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Armed Forces Covenant: Scotland

Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many organisations in Scotland have signed the Corporate Covenant relating to reservists, veterans and families of service personnel.

Anna Soubry: There has been healthy interest in the Corporate Covenant from large corporations to small businesses, and Scotland is no exception. To date, 12 organisations in Scotland have signed the Corporate Covenant, and many more have expressed an interest in doing so. In addition, many national organisations have signed up and would of course also have sites/branches in Scotland.

Vetting

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, over what time period the contract between his Department and CGI to provide security vetting services will run; and what the cost of that contract will be per year.

Anna Soubry: The Ministry of Defence has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Armed Forces: Recruitment

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much his Department spent on recruitment to each of the armed forces in (a) 2012-13, (b) 2013-14 and (c) 2014-15 to date.

Mr Julian Brazier: The Ministry of Defence has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Army: Recruitment

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 12 January 2015 to Question 220095, how many personnel were recruited to the regular Army between April and December 2014; and what his Department's recruitment target for that period was.

Mr Julian Brazier: The Ministry of Defence has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Vetting

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 6 January 2015 to Question 216757, on vetting, what the average time to process applications has been in each month since January 2014; and what the cost of bringing in additional personnel to help deal with the high volume of applications has been.

Anna Soubry: The Ministry of Defence has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Veterans: Northern Ireland

Mr Jeffrey M. Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what response he has made to the recommendation in the Veterans Transition Review, published on 11 February 2014, that security-vetted armed forces champions should be appointed in Northern Ireland.

Anna Soubry: The Department welcomed Lord Ashcroft's report on the review of the Armed Forces transition process. The report made 43 distinct recommendations; many are now in place either in full or in part. In response to his specific recommendations on an Armed Forces Champion in Northern Ireland, the Northern Irish Government announced last year that from April 2015, Local Authorities will nominate both a non-elected official and a councillor to membership of the Reserve Forces and Cadets Association in Northern Ireland. The latter will also act as a local Veterans Champion.In addition, the relationship between the Northern Ireland Aftercare Service and the Veterans Welfare Service has been strengthened and close working links developed with The Royal British Legion, Soldiers', Sailors' and Airmen's Families Association, Combat Stress and key charities in Northern Ireland.

Armed Forces Covenant Reference Group: Northern Ireland

Mr Jeffrey M. Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent discussions he has had with the Northern Ireland Executive about the appointment of a representative from Northern Ireland to the Armed Forces Covenant Reference Group.

Anna Soubry: Ministry of Defence (MOD) officials have recently held discussions with their opposite numbers in the Northern Ireland Executive. This resulted in the compilation of the most comprehensive record to date of Covenant achievements in Northern Ireland, highlighted in the Covenant Annual Report which I laid before Parliament on 16 December 2014. In addition, the Northern Ireland Executive has recently been invited, with the other Devolved Administrations, to attend a series of quarterly meetings in the MOD to consider specifically Covenant issues.There is an open invitation to the Northern Ireland Executive to join the Covenant Reference Group although, as yet, this has not been accepted. In the debate on the Covenant in Northern Ireland on 22 October 2014 (Official report, column 1002) the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Dr Andrew Murrison, reminded the House that the offer had been made and that the door was still open, and thoroughly recommended that the Northern Ireland Executive take a full and active part in the group.

Data Protection

Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Prime Minister's speech in Nottingham on 12 January 2015, what assessment he has made of the implications for the defence industrial sector of changing the rules governing access to encrypted messages; and whether he has discussed those proposed changes with representatives of that sector.

Mr Philip Dunne: This Government supports encryption, which helps keep personal data and intellectual property safe. It is also vital that the law enforcement and security and intelligence agencies can access unencrypted data to prevent threats to our national security or to prevent or detect serious crime, when it is necessary and proportionate to do so. Ministers have an ongoing and wide-ranging dialogue with the defence industrial sector.

Armed Forces: Housing

Mr Jeffrey M. Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans he has to make surplus Ministry of Defence housing in Lisburn available for sale to housing associations.

Anna Soubry: The Ministry Of Defence has no plans to release surplus housing in Lisburn to housing associations.The Department is considering releasing surplus housing in Lisburn to the Northern Ireland Executive.

Defence Equipment: Deployment

Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many vehicles within each group, included in his Department's contract made as a result of the sale of the Defence Support Group, need to be kept at readiness under that contract; whether the level of that readiness is decided by (a) the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre or (b) him; and whether that contract contains provisions to allow that number to be changed in response to changing security threat situations.

Mr Mark Francois: The Ministry of Defence has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

National Security

Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress his Department has made on preparations for the next Strategic Defence and Security Review; and what recent discussions he has had with stakeholders in that review.

Michael Fallon: Holding answer received on 26 January 2015



The next Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) will be a matter for after the General Election and will be coordinated by the Cabinet Office. We remain focussed on the delivery of SDSR 2010. My Department is preparing for the Review; including using its extensive relationships with the Defence community, academia and think tanks to develop our thinking.

National Security

Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what meetings he has had with stakeholders on the next (a) National Security Strategy and (b) Strategic Defence and Security Review.

Michael Fallon: Holding answer received on 26 January 2015



The next National Security Strategy and Strategic Defence and Security Review will be a matter for after the General Election. As part of our preparations for those, the Ministry of Defence is using its extensive relationships with the wider Defence community, academia and think tanks to inform our thinking for the Review.

National Security

Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress his Department has made on preparations for the next National Security Strategy; and what discussions he has had with stakeholders in that strategy.

Michael Fallon: Holding answer received on 26 January 2015



The next National Security Strategy (NSS) will be a matter for after the General Election and will be coordinated by the Cabinet Office. My Department is preparing for the NSS including by using its extensive relationships with the wider Defence community, academia and think tanks to develop our thinking.

Department for Work and Pensions

Universal Credit: Staffordshire

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the timetable is for inclusion of each of the wards in North Staffordshire in the next tranche of conversion to universal credit.

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the ability of claimants in North Staffordshire to access universal credit online.

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what budget he has allocated for promoting awareness of universal credit among claimants in North Staffordshire who will be required to make online applications.

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what guidance his Department provides to support people in North Staffordshire making claims for universal benefit under the new procedures.

Mr Mark Harper: To date, over 90% of Universal Credit claimants have made their claim online. Other methods will continue to be available – telephone or in person at the Jobcentre – to support claimants who require alternative arrangements to make a successful claim. All Jobcentres across the country have gone digital with computers and free Wi-Fi available for claimants to access the internet.   All new Universal Credit claimants will receive an information pack and advice from their work coach to help them understand universal credit processes and payments, and the support available locally.   Beginning next month Universal Credit will begin to expand across Great Britain in a tranche based approach, mirroring the successful implementation methods that we used to safely and securely roll it out in the north west of England. For more details please see the link below. (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-national-expansion )   DWP Implementation Officers from Stoke/West Midlands recently met with their local authority counterparts to discuss Universal Credit roll-out in 2015/16 and the need to ensure that through local partnership working, support would be available for those single Job seekers who may need support to make and manage their claim. This discussion is in advance of the more detailed discussions around the detail in the Delivery Partnership Agreements. Through local partnership working between DWP and local authorities, we are brokering funded Delivery Partnership Agreements to make available more support for those claimants who will need extra help to make and manage their Universal Credit claim on-line and their Universal Credit payment. This will help strengthen local partnership working between DWP, local authorities and their partners as we establish Personal Budgeting Support in all local communities through the expansion of universal credit from February 2015.

Incapacity Benefit

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what proportion of people on incapacity benefits suffer from mental health conditions; and what proportion of those people have undergone treatment for their mental health condition in each of the last 10 years.

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what comparative assessment he has made of the employability of people on incapacity benefits suffering from poor mental health who have (a) received and (b) not received treatment for their condition.

Mr Mark Harper: The number of people on incapacity benefits with mental and behavioural disorders is published and can be found at: https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/default.asp   Guidance for users can be found at: https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/home/newuser.asp   Proportions can be calculated using the published figures.   The information on treatment of such conditions is not collected.

Incapacity Benefit

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will guarantee a place on an Improving Access to Psychological Therapies course for people on incapacity benefit suffering from poor mental health.

Mr Mark Harper: Improving Access to Psychological Therapy Services (IAPT) are open access services treating people with depression and anxiety disorders in primary care. People on incapacity benefits who have depression or an anxiety disorder can access these services via either their GP or self-referral.   In England individuals who are referred are guaranteed an assessment to see if they could benefit from an IAPT treatment. It would be the patient’s decision as to whether they took up that offer or not. If the patient is not suitable for treatment they will be signposted to a mental health service or other service that is better able to meet their needs.   Mental health services exist in Wales and Scotland but are a devolved matter and responsibility of the Scottish or Welsh Governments.   In addition, Access to Work can also offer help to people with mental health conditions such as with communication support at job interviews, disability awareness training for colleagues when a person starts work and Access to Work’s Mental Health Support Service can offer support to individuals with a mental health condition who are absent from work or finding work difficult.

Social Security Benefits

Mr Michael Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people who have been sanctioned since January 2012 have received hardship payments in each year since then; and what the average level was of such hardship payments.

Esther McVey: The latest available published information for Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) hardship awards is for the year from April 2011 to March 2012 and can be accessed via the link below. https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/222972/hardship_adhoc_2011_2012.pdf   Information on the weekly amount awarded or on the duration of the award is not available. Therefore it is not possible to work out the average level of such hardship payments.

Social Security Benefits

Mr Michael Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many peer reviews his Department has carried out following the death of benefit claimants; how many such reviews involved the sanctioning of claimants; and in how many cases his Department's action was found to be inappropriate or incorrect.

Esther McVey: The Department has conducted 49 peer reviews relating to the death of a claimant. Peer reviews are conducted to assure the Department’s processes.

Unemployment Benefits

Pamela Nash: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate he has made of expenditure on unemployment-related benefits to people aged (a) 18 to 24 and (b) 24 to 29 in (i) the UK, (ii) Scotland, (iii) England, (iv) Wales and (v) Northern Ireland in each of the last five years.

Pamela Nash: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will estimate how much his Department has paid out to people aged 16 to 29 in unemployment-related benefits in (a) the UK, (b) Scotland, (c) England, (d) Wales and (e) Northern Ireland in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

Esther McVey: The information requested is shown in the tables attached. This data is for Great Britain only. Northern Ireland figures are the responsibility of the Department for Social Development in Northern Ireland. 



pq221268-221269 Data
(Word Document, 18.24 KB)

Universal Credit

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether any people claiming universal credit are subject to in-work conditionality.

Esther McVey: Holding answer received on 22 January 2015



 Universal Credit ensures that people are better off in work – and makes it pay for people to increase their earnings through more or better paid work. We will, for the first time, be supporting people in low-paid work to take active steps to increase their earnings. We first need to build the evidence on what can be effective in helping people to earn more. We are therefore committed to testing and learning what works, including the role and impact of conditionality. We will evaluate this through the first trial that will start in April 2015 to inform decisions on extending in-work conditionality.

Personal Independence Payment

Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, in which areas of the UK personal independence payments natural reassessment has not yet been rolled-out.

Mr Mark Harper: The postcode areas where Personal Independence Payment (PIP) natural reassessment has started, or is shortly planned to start, can be found on the Gov.UK website: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pip-postcode-map-uk.   The Northern Ireland Assembly are in the process of passing the necessary legislation to introduce PIP in due course. It is a matter for the Northern Ireland Assembly how and when natural reassessment will start.

Children: Maintenance

Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the statement in his Department's strategy for the publication of information about the 2012 scheme administered by the Child Maintenence Service (CMS) that the strategic management information reporting capability of a new Data Warehouse would be available from 2014, what the latest timetable is for the managed process of the release of fully assured statistics on the performance of the CMS.

Steve Webb: Development of a data warehouse capability is being implemented in stages, the first stage of this for CMS 2012 management information is expected for delivery later in 2015 with subsequent stages thereafter. In the meantime management information developed from relevant interim statistics have been released as Experimental Official Statistics and these will continue to be built on and assured.

Universal Credit

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether it remains his estimate that the number of claimants of universal credit will reach 100,000 by May 2015, as forecast on page 30 of his Department's document Universal Credit at work, published in October 2014.

Mr Mark Harper: The latest forecast agreed with OBR still rounds to 0.1 million cases as set out in Universal Credit at Work.

Unemployment: Young People

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what further plans he has to reduce youth unemployment.

Esther McVey: The Department for Work and Pensions has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Work Programme

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 20 January 2015 to Question 220893, which aspects of the new closer working between jobcentres and Work Programme prime providers are improving relationships between them.

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 20 January 2015 to Question 220893, when the new closer working approach was introduced; and what figures he plans to use to measure that approach's effectiveness.

Esther McVey: Because of the closer working approach, Jobcentre Plus and Benefit Delivery Centre representatives now meet with Work Programme performance managers prior to the monthly contract performance review meetings with providers. These meetings allow representatives to agree performance issues for discussion with the provider. Work Programme providers and Jobcentre Plus have worked together since the start of the programme. In January 2013, as part of our commitment to continuous improvement we called for the development of closer working with providers to help the programme progress and achieve mutual objectives. Statistical releases have shown that performance has continually improved since the programme was introduced in June 2011.

Unemployment: Young People

Paul Uppal: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment he has made of trends in youth unemployment.

Esther McVey: Youth unemployment has fallen 175,000 since 2010, and the youth claimant count is the lowest since the 1970s. In Wolverhampton South West, the youth claimant count has nearly halved since 2010 – falling by over 400.

Social Security Benefits

Chris Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent progress he has made on tackling fraud and error.

Mr Mark Harper: Fraud and error is currently estimated to be 2.1% of benefit expenditure, down from 2.2% in 2009/10.   My Department is working hard to reduce Fraud and Error. A number of initiatives have been put in place under the prevent, detect, correct, punish and deter agenda and the introduction of the Single Fraud Investigation Service, tougher penalties, cross Government working and increased recovery powers demonstrate our commitment to getting this right.

Social Security Benefits: Disqualification

Debbie Abrahams: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of his Department's social security sanctions policy.

Esther McVey: Through his independent review of sanctions, Matthew Oakley confirmed that “benefit sanctions provide a vital backdrop in the social security system for jobseekers” and are a “key element of the mutual obligation that underpins both the effectiveness and fairness of the social security system” International evidence is also clear – a conditional benefit system works – it promotes job search. The vast majority comply and move into work. There are nearly a million fewer workless people since 2010.

Housing Benefit: Shared Housing

Dr Julian Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he has taken to ensure that the shared accommodation rate is representative of the real cost of renting shared accommodation.

Steve Webb: On behalf of DWP, the Rent Officer Services, collect evidence of a wide range of achieved rents for each area and use these to set Local Housing Allowance rates, in line with the current policy for Local Housing Allowance uprating. Currently, increases to Local Housing Allowance rates are limited to one per cent. However, in areas where there have been the greatest divergences between rates and rents, we are increasing rates by up to 4 per cent through Targeted Affordability Funding. In 2014/15, this meant that 56 out of the 192 Shared Accommodation Rates were increased by 4 per cent. In 2015/16, there will be £95 million available for the Targeted Affordability funding and we will be increasing 63 out of the 192 Shared Accommodation Rates by 4 per cent.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Dairy Farming

David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will take steps to protect farmers in the dairy industry from the economic consequences of the recent decision by supermarkets to significantly cut the price of a pint of milk.

George Eustice: All operators in the supply chain should receive a fair price for their goods. We regularly bring together supermarkets, processors and farmers through the Dairy Supply Chain Forum to discuss issues such as collaboration, risk management and market volatility. I chaired the Farming Resilience Group meeting on 14 January where we discussed with the NFU and a range of industry bodies how to help manage volatility.   The Groceries Code Adjudicator was set up to help suppliers if they feel they are being treated unfairly by retailers and we encourage dairy suppliers to use the GCA where they feel the grocery code has been breached.   We are helping the dairy industry to take advantage of opportunities such as opening new export markets and pushing for better country of origin labelling for British dairy products.

Greyhounds: Imports

Angela Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions she has had with her counterpart in Ireland on the enforcement of the Balai Directive for racing greyhounds travelling to the UK; and how many racing greyhounds were recorded as having been moved from Ireland to the UK in each of the last three years.

George Eustice: The Secretary of State has not had any discussions with her counterpart in Ireland regarding enforcement of the Balai Directive for racing greyhounds travelling to the UK.There is no information on the number of racing greyhounds moved from Ireland to the UK. The European Commission’s system for recording animal movements between EU Member States does not require information to be recorded on the breed of dog being moved.

White Fish: Conservation

Angela Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when her Department plans to announce emergency conservation measures to protect sea bass stocks.

George Eustice: At December Fisheries Council, the UK secured a commitment to work further on emergency measures to protect bass during the 2015 spawning season. My Department wrote to the European Commission on 19 December 2014 asking it to consider emergency measures for the sea bass fishery, under Article 12 of the Common Fisheries Policy Regulation. Following further work with the UK and other interested Member States the European Commission announced proposed measures on 19 January. These will be brought in by the European Commission. Once the final form of the measures is determined and they have been adopted, my Department will confirm the details.

Pine Martens

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to control the pine marten population.

George Eustice: Wildlife management is a devolved issue, so I can only answer for England. In England pine martens are protected and Defra has no plans to control them.

Recycling

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what proportion of waste collected has been recycled in each year since 2009-10.

Dan Rogerson: The most relevant recycling data which is regularly measured relates to waste collected and managed by local authorities. This is reported on a quarterly basis and data for England is published each quarter by Defra in statistical releases with accompanying datasets. The latest data for 2013-2014 for England was published in November last year and is available on the GOV.UK website. UK data on the waste from households recycling rate is also available but only up to 2012. This data is also available on the GOV.UK website.   The proportion of ‘waste from households’ recycled in England and the UK, on a calendar year basis from 2010 to 2012 or 2013, is shown in table 1 below:   Table 1 Waste from households recycling rate for England and the UK2010201120122013England41.2%43.3%44.1%44.2%UK40.3%42.9%43.9%not available The recycling rate for all local authority collected waste for England for the financial years 2008/9 to 2013/14 is shown in table 2 below:   Table 2 Recycling rate for all local authority collected waste for England   2009/102010/112011/122012/132013/1438.7%40.4%42.1%42.4%42.8%

Nature Conservation

Toby Perkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what representations she has received from nature bodies about the introduction of a Nature and Well-Being Bill.

George Eustice: Defra receives representations from organisations on a wide range of environmental issues. These have included proposals for a Nature and Wellbeing Bill. The Government has set out its legislative programme for the remainder of this Parliament, which does not include proposals for such a Bill.

Argiculture: Yorkshire and the Humber

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to support farmers in the Yorkshire and Humberside region.

George Eustice: The Government is undertaking a wide range of activities to support the farming industry in the England. We are making £141m available from 2015 to 2021 via the Rural Development Programme, to encourage farmers to invest in their businesses, and improve their skills and business efficiency. We are also supporting the farming industry through £160m investment in applied research under the Agri-Tech Strategy, and we are promoting British products abroad to boost global demand.   Since 2007 the Rural Development Programme has provided support to nearly 4000 unique farm projects across Yorkshire and Humberside by making available over £22m to provide training and advice to farmers and to help them modernise their farms and add value to their produce.

Broadband: Rural Areas

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to page six of her Department's policy brief, How increased Connectivity is Boosting Prospects of Rural Areas, published in December 2014, what estimate she has made of the proportion of areas which will not be covered by superfast broadband by 2017 that are (a) rural and (b) coastal.

Dan Rogerson: The Government is investing £780 million to give access to superfast broadband to 95% of UK premises by 2017. This will be achieved through two delivery phases. Until Phase 2 is complete, it is not possible to estimate precisely how many rural and coastal areas will not be covered by superfast broadband by 2017. Approximately 1.4 million premises are expected to fall within the remaining 5% hard to reach areas across the UK. We are currently exploring how to extend superfast broadband into these final areas.

Food: Exports

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to page seven of her Department's policy brief, How increased Connectivity is Boosting Prospects of Rural Areas, published in December 2014, what assessment she has made of the effect of the International Food and Drink Action Plan on the level of (a) food and (b) drink exports to date.

George Eustice: Since the publication of the UK Food and Drink - International Action Plan in October 2013 we have supported 2,500 companies (1,500 more than we had pledged), opened over 100 markets for animal and animal products, implemented a faster export health certification system two months ahead of schedule and continued to champion British food and drink here and overseas at major trade shows and events. Full details of the progress made can be found in the One Year On report published on the Open to Exports website at http://opentoexport.com/article/uk-food-and-drink-international-action-plan-one-year-on-2/.   The agri-food and drink sector is worth over £100bn and includes the largest manufacturing sector worth over £26bn. Food and drink exports in 2013 were £18.9bn up £700m compared to 2012 and 39% above those in 2010.

Members: Correspondence

Sir Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when she intends to reply to the letter to her dated 15 December 2014 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mr A. Webster.

Dan Rogerson: A reply was sent to the Rt. Hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton on 23 December 2014 (Defra reference MC366057/AB).

Department for Communities and Local Government

Community Relations

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to promote religious and ethnic tolerance and understanding.

Stephen Williams: Holding answer received on 22 January 2015



Our approach to promoting religious and ethnic tolerance and understanding, is through supporting integration in communities. I refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement of 18 December 2014, Official Report, Columns 110-118WS, which details my Department's integration approach, as well as current integration projects and activities.

Mayors: Greater Manchester

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, whether an equality impact assessment has been made of plans for a directly elected city-region Mayor for Greater Manchester.

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what salary the directly elected city-region Mayor of Greater Manchester will be paid.

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what estimate he has made of the cost of introducing a directly elected city-region Mayor for Greater Manchester.

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, when he plans to bring forward legislative proposals on the Greater Manchester devolution agreement and the election of a directly elected city-region Mayor.

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what plans he has to ensure public scrutiny of a directly elected city-region Mayor for Greater Manchester other than at election time.

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how long the term of office will be for a directly elected city-region Mayor for Greater Manchester.

Kris Hopkins: Following the November 2014 devolution agreement between the Government and Greater Manchester, it is envisaged a Bill will be introduced into Parliament with provision for a Greater Manchester Mayor, for elections of the Mayor – expected to be, as for other local government elections - every 4 years, with the first election in 2017, for effective scrutiny arrangements to hold the Mayor publicly to account, and for open and transparent arrangements providing for appropriate allowances to be decided in Greater Manchester for the Mayor. Such a Bill will be accompanied by an Impact Assessment, which will cover estimated costs and benefits. A preliminary equality screening will be undertaken, but we will not be undertaking a full blown Equality Impact Assessment if we assess there is no impact, given it is our policy to avoid unnecessary equalities paperwork.

Apprentices: Greater Manchester

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, when he expects to agree the share of the Apprenticeship Grant for employers for Greater Manchester as part of the Greater Manchester devolution deal.

Kris Hopkins: My rt. hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (Vince Cable) has asked the Skills Funding Agency to calculate a share of the Apprenticeship Grant for Employers for devolution to Greater Manchester that is proportionate to their current share of apprenticeship activity. This is being done as a priority with the aim of devolving the budget formally from April 2015. Discussions are ongoing with Greater Manchester and we expect formal agreement to follow in early February.

Devolution: Greater Manchester

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, when he plans to bring forward amendments to the Greater Manchester Combined Authority Order 2011 to create an eleventh leader of Greater Manchester.

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, whether the super-affirmative procedure will be followed when the Government brings foward proposals to amend the Greater Manchester Combined Authorities Order 2011 to create an interim eleventh chair of Greater Manchester.

Kris Hopkins: On 23 January 2015 the Government launched the statutory consultation, required by the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009, on a proposed Order to amend the Greater Manchester Combined Authority 2011 to provide for an eleventh leader of Greater Manchester. This consultation closes on 13 February, and subject to the responses received, it is intended as soon as practicable thereafter to seek Parliamentary approval of the proposed amendment Order through the affirmative procedure as provided for under the 2009 Act.

Housing: Disability

Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many homes were adapted for disabled tenants using the Disabled Facilities Grant in each year from 2009-10 to 2013-14.

Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what the average cost has been of adapting homes for disabled tenants under the disabled facilities grant since 2010.

Brandon Lewis: The Department for Communities and Local Government does not collect data on the number of homes adapted through the disabled facilities grant. The Department does collect data on the number of grants completed annually in England. Information on the number of grants completed and the average cost per grant for the years 2009/10 to 2013/14 is provided below. 2009-102010-112011-122012-132013-14No. of grants completed44,10245,38343,98636,87442,586Average Cost per grant£3,356£3,724£4,547£5,966£4,227 The above data is provided by local housing authorities in their annual LOGASnet returns. LOGASnet is the Department of Communities and Local Government's web-based data capture and payments system. The data is not audited by DCLG. Between 2011-12 to 2015-16 the Government will have invested just over one billion pounds into the Disabled Facilities Grant. Baseline2011-122012-132013-142014-152015-16£169m£180m£180m£180m£185m£220m £20m*£40m**additional funding provided in-year by the Department of Health.

Legal Costs

Mr Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how much the Government spent on legal fees in the case of Moore and Coates v the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, in which ruling was made on 21 January 2015.

Brandon Lewis: The Department for Communities and Local Government has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Scotland Office

Offshore Industry

Jim McGovern: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what steps the Government is taking to protect the economies of Scottish cities linked to the North Sea oil and gas industry.

David Mundell: The Secretary of State for Scotland has regular discussions with colleagues and industry leaders on support for the Oil and Gas sector in Scotland.The UK Government has demonstrated its long term commitment to supporting this vital industry with a package of fiscal measures designed to ease the tax burden on the industry and expected to drive around £7 billion of additional investment. We are also delivering the full implementation of the Wood Review recommendations.

HM Treasury

EU Emissions Trading Scheme

Caroline Lucas: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Prime Minister's oral evidence to the Liaison Committee of 16 December 2014, HC 887, Question 4, whether the Government endorses the current guidelines on the use of revenues raised from the auctioning of carbon emissions allowances under the EU emissions trading system; if he will provide a breakdown of the UK's intended use of these revenues; and if he will make a statement.

Priti Patel: The Government is party to the EU ETS directive which states that at least 50 % of auctioning revenues or the equivalent in financial value of these revenues should be used by Member States for climate and energy related purposes. While HMG does not hypothecate spend, this Government spends more on domestic and international climate change related activity than it receives through the EU ETS auctions. Revenue raised through the auctioning of carbon emissions is remitted to the consolidated fund to support general expenditure. The Budget and spending review process ensures that these resources are allocated most efficiently to deliver government objectives.

Revenue and Customs: Northern Ireland

Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will take steps to ensure that due weight is given to the position of Northern Ireland in respect of its (a) land border with the Republic of Ireland and (b) Section 75 equality-proofing requirements when decisions are taken on the future of HM Revenue and Customs offices and personnel under regional centres framework.

Mr David Gauke: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) fully recognises its legislative commitments to Northern Ireland. Plans relating to people and locations, including regional centres, will take into account Section 75 Northern Ireland Act 1998.   HMRC is aware of the complexity of issues arising from the land border with the Republic of Ireland. Any proposals to transform HMRC’s approach and the way it undertakes its work will take into account all risks and ensure that these are given due weight and consideration, including those connected to the land border.

Non-domestic Rates

Mr Dominic Raab: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the combined financial effect on (a) small and (b) all businesses of government policy on business rates (i) in cash terms and (ii) in real terms since May 2010.

Mr David Gauke: To help support businesses and create jobs, the government has taken action to reduce the burden of business rates on ratepayers in every year from 2010-11 to 2015-16.   The total cost of these measures has been £4.1bn over this Parliament. This is a total of £4.2bn in real terms, based on 2014-15 prices.   Of this, the government has spent £2bn on reducing bills for small businesses through the doubling of Small Business Rate Relief. As a result, all businesses occupying a single property with a rateable value of less than £6000 have been fully exempt from business rates since October 2010.   In 2015-16 alone, ratepayers will save £1.6bn on their business rates bills. This includes 575,000 small businesses, of whom 385,000 will pay no rates at all.   The government has also changed the law to allow business rates bills to be spread over 12 months rather than 10 months, to help with cash flow and affordability.

Fuels: Taxation

Iain McKenzie: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will reduce fuel duty and VAT on road fuel; and if he will make a statement.

Iain McKenzie: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will increase tax incentives for the adoption of greener fuels and technologies.

Priti Patel: Since 2011, the Government has cut fuel duty by 1 penny per litre and frozen it until the end of the parliament, resulting in the longest duty freeze in over 20 years.   The Government supports the uptake of greener road fuels and technologies through a number of taxes, including zero rates of vehicle excise duty, preferential rates of company car tax and enhanced capital allowances for ultra-low emission vehicles (ULEVs), and reduced rates of fuel duty for road fuel gases. In addition to this, the Government is providing £900 million to position the UK at the global forefront of ULEV development, manufacture and use.   The actions this Government has taken on tax, spending and welfare reform have reduced the deficit, protected the economy, and restored stability. Any further tax changes would need to be considered in the context of the wider public finances.

Motor Vehicles: Excise Duties

Richard Graham: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make it his policy that motorists pay the same rate of vehicle tax whether or not they pay by direct debit in instalments.

Priti Patel: Motorists paying VED annually pay the same rate of vehicle tax regardless of the means of payment. Motorists paying VED by monthly or six-monthly direct debit pay a 5% surcharge, compared to the 10% surcharge on six monthly VED payments. This means that no motorist faces an increased rate of VED as a result of choosing to pay by direct debit. Government has no plans for structural reform of VED this Parliament.

Department for Energy and Climate Change

Petrol: Prices

Iain McKenzie: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to require petrol wholesalers to publish the price at which they sell petrol; and if he will make a statement.

Matthew Hancock: The Department for Energy and Climate Change has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Northern Ireland Office

Passports: Republic of Ireland

Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if she will discuss with the Secretary of State for the Home Department what changes would be needed to ensure that Northern Ireland citizens born in the Republic of Ireland are able to apply for UK passports on the same terms as those under which Northern Ireland citizens are able to apply for Irish passports.

Mrs Theresa Villiers: Holding answer received on 23 January 2015



As the hon Member is aware I have raised this issue with my Rt hon Friend the Home Secretary previously. I am content to do so again, though as previous correspondence has made clear, giving Irish born nationals resident in Northern Ireland an entitlement to UK passports would be far from straightforward. It would raise a number of difficulties and potential precedents with regard to citizenship criteria. As I am sure the hon Member will acknowledge, decisions on eligibility for citizenship raise sensitive matters and a proposal for automatic entitlement by citizens of another jurisdiction could impact on the sovereign decision-making power of Her Majesty’s Government.

Department for Culture Media and Sport

Cultural Heritage: Folkestone

Damian Collins: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what support the Heritage Lottery Fund has given to organisations in Folkestone and Hythe constituency since 2010.

Mr Edward Vaizey: The Heritage Lottery fund has made grant awards totaling £6,699,600 to projects in the Folkestone and Hythe constituency since 2010.The attached table provides further detail. 



Table for PQ228077
(Word Document, 14.54 KB)

Arts: Disadvantaged

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps he is taking to improve access to the arts for children from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Mr Edward Vaizey: This Government has instigated two reviews into both music and cultural education by Darren Henley in order to improve access to arts and culture for all children including those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Between 2012-2016, the Government will spend over £400million on music and cultural education which includes the £109 million package of funding for arts and music education in 2015-16 that the Secretary of State for Education and the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport announced today (26 January 2015). It also includes £19million for a programme of cultural education initiatives that has seen the creation of a National Youth Dance Company that supports talented young dancers from across the country regardless of their background, the In Harmony programme which inspires and transforms the lives of children through community-based orchestral music-making in areas of exceptional deprivation and the Museums and Schools programme that works to increase the number of people visiting regional and national museums in areas where take up has been traditionally low.

Buildings

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 21 January 2015 to Question 221061, what the annual cost to the public purse is of his Department's office space at 179A Tottenham Court Road.

Mrs Helen Grant: The Department's lease on three floors of 179a Tottenham Court Road is predominantly for space used for collection storage, conservation and administration of the Government Art Collection. One floor is available for general office use.Use of this office space has changed as the Department's Estate Strategy has evolved with the changing responsibilities of the Department including London 2012 and Broadband Delivery UK. At times when space has been surplus to operational needs, half of this office floor has been sublet on a cost recovery basis.The full year costs to the taxpayer of this sub-lettable space when it has not been sublet are £191,000.

Deputy Prime Minister

Electoral Register

Stephen Twigg: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, how funding will be allocated to encourage students to register to vote before the General Election.

Mr Sam Gyimah: The Cabinet Office has been running a student forum since early 2013 which brings together organisations that represent universities and students to agree and evaluate best practice to register students. In addition the Government has recently announced £9.8 million to be used to maximise registration rates. Part of this allocation will go to organisations that can support activities to register currently under registered groups including students. £6.8 million will go to Electoral Registration Officers to support their activities to register their key groups such as students. This is in addition to the previous allocation of £4.2 million which has, in part, been spent on increasing the rate of student registrations.

Department of Health

Family Nurse Partnership Programme

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of the Government's Nurse-Family Partnership pilot schemes.

Dr Daniel Poulter: A formative evaluation of the first ten sites in England was completed in 2011 and established that the programme could be delivered in England with good potential for benefits. A copy of the evaluation report has been placed in the Library and is available at:   https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/215837/dh_123366.pdf   In addition, the Department has commissioned a large-scale independent randomised control trial to rigorously evaluate the programme’s effectiveness in England, which is due to report later this year.

Hyperactivity: Children

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the comparative recovery rates of children who have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and have received (a) drug interventions, (b) psychological treatment and (c) no treatment.

Norman Lamb: Comparative recovery rates for the different interventions for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are not collected nationally. Recovery data will be included in the children and adolescent mental health services Minimum Data Set which is due to flow to the Health and Social Care Information Centre from January 2016.   The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has previously reviewed the results of therapies in detail (Clinical Practice Guideline No. 72), with the conclusion that both drug interventions and psychological interventions carry benefit over no treatment, and should be used according to individual need. There has been recent research on the value of the two approaches; and NICE is at present reviewing the research and how to update its recommendations.

NHS: Temporary Employment

Mr David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will direct his Department to collect information on (a) how many agency staff were employed and (b) what proportion of the total medical staff employed consisted of agency staff in NHS hospitals, by county, in each year since 2005.

Dr Daniel Poulter: Ministers will not direct the Department to collect this information centrally.   However, we expect National Health Service organisations to have a firm grip on their workforce planning and management including their use of medical and non-medical agency staff. Trusts have access to a wide range of advice, guidance and best practice to help them with this.

Prescription Drugs

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answer of 7 January 2015 to Question 219628, what penalties his Department can impose on pharmaceutical companies that fail to communicate drug shortages to GPs.

George Freeman: The joint Departmental and pharmaceutical industry best practice guidance, Notification and Management of Medicines Shortages, a copy of which has already been placed in the Library, is voluntary, and the Department has no powers to impose penalties on pharmaceutical companies who do not follow the recommendations. However the Department expects companies to communicate with general practitioners and other healthcare professionals on medicines shortages where appropriate, and works closely with them on these issues.

Musculoskeletal Disorders

Mr Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many people scheduled to have a hip or knee replacement as a result of a musculoskeletal condition had their operation cancelled for non-clinical reasons in financial years (a) 2012-13, (b) 2013-14 and (c) 2014-15 to date.

Norman Lamb: This information is not collected centrally.

Mental Health Services

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans his Department has to provide employment advisers for Improving Access to Psychological Therapies clients; and what steps his Department is taking to implement those plans.

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make detailed data from the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies programme available to researchers into mental health and employment.

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the contribution of Improving Access to Psychological Therapies to improving mental health in the UK; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on co-ordinating pathways to work and volunteering for people who have undergone Improving Access to Psychological Therapies treatment.

Norman Lamb: Over £400 million is being invested in the Improving Access to Psychological Therapy (IAPT) programme over the spending review period to make a choice of psychological therapies available for those who need them in all parts of England.   We are also investing in improving provision for children and young people, older people and carers, people with long-term physical health problems and those with severe mental illness.   Since 2008 the IAPT programme has seen: - Over 2.6 million people enter treatment, and over 1.5 million complete treatment; - Over 1 million patients reach recovery; and - Nearly 100,000 people move off of sick pay and benefits.   The Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) collects data on the IAPT programme. HSCIC has added the IAPT dataset to the suite of datasets available via its Data Access Request Service, whereby organisations (including the research community) can obtain access to HSCIC datasets.   The Secretary of State for Health has not had any discussions with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on co-ordinating pathways to work and volunteering for people who have undergone IAPT treatment.   My Rt. hon. Friend the Minister for State Care and Support and the Minister of State for Disabled People at the Department for Work and Pensions and I have discussed what mental health and employment support could be offered to people with mental health conditions who are out of work or at risk of falling out of work.   Getting people back to work is a priority for this Government. With the Department of Work and Pensions, we jointly commissioned external policy advice from RAND Europe on how we can achieve better outcomes for people with common mental health problems who are in and out of work, with a focus on better alignment of employment and health services.   Based on the recommendations put forward, we are progressing a number of feasibility pilots to explore the most promising and evidence-based approaches.   This will contribute to a better evidence base for action, and will inform our thinking about next steps not only for Government but for all who have a role to play including employers, commissioners, service providers and individuals.   Pilot 1 covered the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model in the IAPT programme. This pilot tested whether offering IAPT treatment, plus a specified model of employment support based on the IPS model, can offer better outcomes than either usual Jobcentre support or usual IAPT support for Employment Support Allowance claimants with common mental health problems.   The pilot delivery phase is now complete and we are awaiting the final evaluation report which is due shortly.   The IAPT workforce census of April 2014 shows 118 whole time equivalent employment support advisers were employed in IAPT services.   NHS England has set out an expectation that commissioners and providers prioritise investment in employment support as clinically complementary to effective therapy. NHS England has also recommended the adoption of the emerging IAPT currency as a local payment example. This includes a potential financial incentive to reward employment outcomes alongside other quality markers and clinical outcomes.

X-rays

Michael Fabricant: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate he has made of the average age of x-ray machines in use in hospitals.

Jane Ellison: There has been no estimate made of the average age of x-ray machines in use in hospitals as this information is not held centrally. It is the responsibility of individual providers to maintain equipment and ensure it is in full working order.

Drugs: Misuse

Tracey Crouch: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many patients have been admitted to hospital after taking legal highs in (a) England and (b) each hospital in Kent in the last five years.

Jane Ellison: Data on drug-related hospital admissions, including admission related to ‘legal highs’, is collected, however, the way that this information is coded does not allow us to break this data down to admissions only due to using ‘legal highs’.

Behaviour Disorders: Children

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the average cost is of treating a child with conduct disorder.

Norman Lamb: This information is not collected centrally.   Children and young people with mental health disorders, such as conduct disorders, are provided with treatment by a wide range of services and organisations and in a variety of settings, including local authorities, schools, children’s services, voluntary organisations as well as Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services. It is not possible to calculate an average cost across all these organisations.

NHS: Finance

Derek Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what representations his Department has received on the effect on patients and NHS Trusts and foundation trusts of the 3.8 per cent efficiency factor proposed in the Monitor and NHS England document, 2015/16 National Tariff Payment System: a consultation notice.

Jane Ellison: Monitor and NHS England consulted on 2015-16 National Tariff proposals from 26 November to 24 December 2014. They received 310 formal responses, together with approximately 109 emails, 38 letters and 6,765 signatories on an e-petition organised by a mental health charity, conveying a range of views on all aspects of the National Tariff. Monitor is in the process of analysing responses in order to identify formal objections to the methodology and assess other responses received.   The validation process is complex, and involves checking that any formal objection represents the corporate view of a relevant organisation (as opposed to the personal opinion of any one individual within it). The outcome of this analysis, together with feedback from the consultation generally, will be considered by Monitor’s board in due course for a final decision on the way forward. It would not be appropriate at this time to discuss individual elements of this feedback.

Social Services

Derek Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what discussions he has had with (a) the Chancellor of the Exchequer and (b) the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government about the effect of changes to local authority budgets on funding for adult social care.

Norman Lamb: The Secretary of State for Health has frequent discussions with both the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government which encompass a wide variety of topics, including social care.   In particular, Ministers recently met to discuss how best to tackle delayed discharges from hospital. As a result the Department has issued a new ring-fenced grant to local authorities worth £25 million.

NHS: Finance

Derek Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment his Department has made of the effect on quality and access to care of failure by NHS providers and commissioners to achieve the 3.8 per cent efficiency factor proposed in 2015/16 National Tariff Payment System: a consultation notice.

Jane Ellison: We expect providers and commissioners to make efficiency savings without affecting the quality of, or access to, services.

Hospital Beds: North West

Derek Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many delayed discharges there were from (a) St Helens and Knowsley Hospitals Trust and (b) Warrington and Halton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in each month since January 2014.

Norman Lamb: An error has been identified in the written answer given on 26 January 2015.The correct answer should have been:

Information is not available in the format requested. The data that is available is shown in the following tables.   Table 1: St Helens and Knowsley Hospitals NHS Trust   MonthPatientsDays January 20148282 February 20145233 March 20145253 April 20143186 May 20147188 June 20147158 July 20144227 August 20144155 September 20143166 October 20145186 November 20143143 December 20143149Source: NHS England   Notes: Patients: The number of patients whose transfer is delayed at midnight on the last Thursday of the month.Days: The number of days delayed within the month for all patients delayed throughout the month. Table 2: Warrington and Halton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust  MonthPatientsDaysJanuary 201420407February 201419591March 201416535April 201426513May 201424548June 201414537July 201420688August 201426880September 201424576October 201420458November 20149425December 201411222   Source: NHS England   Notes: Patients: The number of patients whose transfer is delayed at midnight on the last Thursday of the month.Days: The number of days delayed within the month for all patients delayed throughout the month.

Jane Ellison: Information is not available in the format requested. The data that is available is shown in the following tables.   Table 1: St Helens and Knowsley Hospitals NHS Trust   MonthPatientsDays January 20148282 February 20145233 March 20145253 April 20143186 May 20147188 June 20147158 July 20144227 August 20144155 September 20143166 October 20145186 November 20143143 December 20143149Source: NHS England   Notes: Patients: The number of patients whose transfer is delayed at midnight on the last Thursday of the month.Days: The number of days delayed within the month for all patients delayed throughout the month. Table 2: Warrington and Halton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust  MonthPatientsDaysJanuary 201420407February 201419591March 201416535April 201426513May 201424548June 201414537July 201420688August 201426880September 201424576October 201420458November 20149425December 201411222   Source: NHS England   Notes: Patients: The number of patients whose transfer is delayed at midnight on the last Thursday of the month.Days: The number of days delayed within the month for all patients delayed throughout the month.

Nurses: Resignations

Derek Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many nurses have left the NHS before normal retirement age in each year since 2010.

Dr Daniel Poulter: The Department does not hold information on the number of nurses who have left the National Health Service before retirement age.

NHS: Translation Services

Stuart Andrew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how much the NHS paid translators in the last financial year.

Norman Lamb: We do not hold this information centrally. National Health Service organisations have a duty to follow equalities legislation. This includes making sure their communities can understand information about the NHS services and that patients and clinicians can communicate with each other. However, we would encourage the NHS to be efficient and save money where possible by working together and sharing resources.

NHS: Pay

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many NHS staff earn less than the living wage.

Dr Daniel Poulter: The Department does not hold this information centrally.   The Agenda for Change contract allows NHS Organisations, as independent employers, to make additional payments to bring earnings above the living wage.

Ebola

Mr Douglas Carswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether the medical questionnaire completed by Pauline Cafferkey on her return to the UK from Sierra Leone asked whether aspirin, paracetamol or ibuprofen had been taken prior to her temperature being tested.

Jane Ellison: Before 31 December 2014 the medical questionnaire used by Public Health England (PHE) did not routinely ask about whether aspirin, paracetamol, or ibuprofen had been taken. The questionnaire now includes a question to this effect and will be kept under review as the Secretary of State for Health explained in his statement to the house on 5 January.

Ebola

Mr Douglas Carswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether Ministers or officials in his Department has identified cause to refer for investigation the conduct of any UK medical staff returning from West Africa.

Jane Ellison: The Department has not identified cause to refer for investigation the conduct of any United Kingdom clinical staff returning from West Africa.

Ebola

Mr Douglas Carswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what information his Department holds on whether Pauline Cafferkey told any member of the medical team on the returning aeroplane from Sierra Leone that she felt unwell.

Jane Ellison: The Department does not hold any such information. Save the Children is conducting an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the United Kingdom nurse’s contraction of Ebola virus disease. This will be published shortly.